Callosotomy Treatment in Turkey
About Callosotomy
Key Highlights
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Significantly reduces the frequency and severity of generalized seizures, especially drop attacks.Can dramatically improve patient safety by preventing dangerous falls associated with seizures.Offers a treatment option for epilepsy when multiple medications have proven ineffective.May enhance overall quality of life and independence for suitable candidates.Often performed as a partial (anterior) callosotomy, preserving more brain connectivity than a complete section.
Who is this surgery for?
- Severe, drug-resistant epilepsy (intractable epilepsy) not controlled by multiple anti-seizure medications.
- Primary indication is for debilitating generalized seizures, particularly atonic seizures (drop attacks) or tonic-clonic seizures.
- Patients who are not candidates for focal resection surgery because seizures originate from multiple or inaccessible brain areas.
- To prevent secondary generalization, where a focal seizure spreads to involve the entire brain.
- Considered for patients whose seizures cause frequent, serious injuries.
How to prepare
- Comprehensive neurological evaluation, including long-term video EEG monitoring to characterize seizure type and origin.
- Advanced brain imaging (MRI, PET, or SPECT) to rule out a resectable focal lesion.
- Neuropsychological testing to establish a cognitive and functional baseline.
- Detailed discussion with the neurology and neurosurgery team about goals, risks, and expected outcomes.
- Pre-operative tests: blood work, ECG, and chest X-ray to ensure fitness for major surgery.
- Adjustment or tapering of anti-epileptic medications as directed by the neurologist.
- Fasting for 8-12 hours before the surgery.
Risks & possible complications
- Standard risks of major brain surgery: infection, bleeding (hemorrhage), blood clots, and adverse reaction to anesthesia.
- Disconnection syndrome: temporary or permanent difficulties with coordination between brain hemispheres (e.g., alien hand syndrome).
- Speech and language problems, especially if the dominant hemisphere is affected.
- Memory deficits or changes in cognitive function.
- Headaches, nausea, and swelling at the surgical site.
- Potential for incomplete seizure control or no significant improvement.
- Risk of developing new types of focal seizures post-operatively.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Initial recovery in an intensive care unit (ICU) for 1-2 days for close neurological monitoring.
- Hospital stay for monitoring of surgical recovery and seizure activity.
- Management of post-operative pain, swelling, and nausea with medication.
- Gradual resumption of activities; strenuous activity and heavy lifting are restricted for several weeks.
- Continued use of anti-seizure medications, which may be adjusted over time based on seizure control.
- Involvement in physical, occupational, or speech therapy if needed to address any neurological changes.
- Regular follow-up appointments with the neurologist to assess seizure frequency, medication management, and overall recovery.
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Typical hospital stay:
5-10 days
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Expected recovery time:
6-12 weeks
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering callosotomy in Turkey, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for callosotomy in Turkey include Liv Hospital Ankara, Istinye Üniversitesi Hastanesi Liv, Medical Park Gaziosmanpaşa, VM Medical Park Pendik Hastanesi, Medical Park Bahçelievler, known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform callosotomy. MediFyr helps you compare neurologists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for callosotomy compare across other countries where we have data.
Top hospitals for Callosotomy in Turkey
These partner hospitals in Turkey have dedicated neurology teams and experience managing patients undergoing callosotomy.
Instabul, Turkey
140 Doctors
Amit Johnson, a 42-year-old software engineer...
Amit Johnson, a 42-year-old software engineer and father of two, had lived with epilepsy since a childhood head injury. For over a decade, his seizures had been uncontrolled despite trying eight different anti-seizure medications. His most debilitating episodes were atonic 'drop attacks,' where he would suddenly lose all muscle tone and collapse without warning, resulting in multiple concussions, broken bones, and constant fear for his safety. His neurologist, Dr. Chen, explained that Amit's seizures originated in and spread across both brain hemispheres, making them impossible to localize and remove. She recommended a corpus callosotomy, a procedure to sever the major neural bridge between the brain's halves, to prevent the violent electrical storms from crossing over and causing the full-body drop attacks. The surgery itself was a major undertaking, but Amit awoke without significant complications. The recovery in the hospital was challenging, with headaches and a period of unusual coordination difficulties as his brain adapted. However, the outcome was transformative. The terrifying drop attacks ceased completely. While he still experiences occasional focal seizures limited to one side of his body, they are no longer disabling. Emotionally, Amit moved from a state of constant anxiety and dependence to one of cautious optimism and regained independence. He can now play with his children without fear, drive again, and return to work, viewing the surgery as a trade that gave him his life back.