In this Article

• What is multiple subpial transection?
• Who is a candidate for multiple subpial transection?
• What happens before multiple subpial transection surgery?
• What happens during multiple subpial transection surgery?
• What happens after multiple subpial transection surgery?
• How effective is multiple subpial transection?
• What are the side effects of multiple subpial transection surgery?
• What risks are associated with multiple subpial transection?
• Multiple Subpial Transection Index

What Happens After Surgery?

The patient generally stays in an intensive care unit for 24 to 48 hours after surgery and in a regular hospital room for 3 to 4 days. Most people who have MST will be able to return to their normal activities, including work or school, in 6 to 8 weeks after surgery. Most patients will continue to take anti-seizure medication. Once seizure control is established, medications may be reduced or eliminated.

How Effective Is MST?

MST results in satisfactory improvement in seizure control in about 70% of patients, although the procedure is still relatively new, and no long-term outcome data are available. Children with LKS or other forms of epilepsy not controlled by medication may have improved intellectual and psychosocial functioning following MST.

What Are the Side Effects of Surgery?

The following side effects may occur after surgery, although they generally go away on their own over several weeks:

• Scalp numbness
• Nausea
• Feeling tired or depressed
• Headaches
• Difficulty speaking, remembering or finding words

What Risks Are Associated With MST?

The risks associated with MST include:

• Risks associated with surgery, including infection, bleeding and allergic reaction to anesthesia
• Failure to relieve seizures
• Swelling in the brain
• Damage to healthy brain tissue

Reviewed by The Cleveland Clinic Neuroscience Center.
Edited by Charlotte E. Grayson, MD, WebMD, May 2004.

Portions of this page © The Cleveland Clinic 2000-2005

Suggested Reading by Our Doctors

• Temporal Lobe Resection - Epilepsy: Temporal Lobe Resection surgery for seizures
• Seizure (Epilepsy) - Learn about epilepsy, or seizure disorder. Causes include head injury, trauma, prenatal injury, poisoning, medications, stroke, heart attacks, alcoholism, infection, and more. Symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment information is included in the information.
• Seizures Symptoms and Types - Read about seizure symptoms and types such as generalized, grand-mal, absence, myoclonic, clonic, tonic, atonic, and partial. Symptom listing is included in the information.

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