Authors :
Alexander C. Whiting, Barrow Neurological Institute; Joshua Catapano, Barrow Neurological Institute; Corey Walker, Barrow Neurological Institute; Kris Smith, Barrow Neurological Institute; Jakub Godzik, Barrow Neurological Institute
Rationale:
Stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) is a technique that is often used for mapping the epileptogenic zone before epilepsy surgery. Many SEEG depth electrode implantation techniques involve shaving the patient's entire head before electrode implantation. Our goal was to evaluate an SEEG depth electrode implantation technique that was minimally invasive in nature and required negligible hair shaving (Figure 1 and 2).
Methods:
Data on demographic characteristics, hemorrhagic complications, implantation complications, infection, morbidity, and mortality among patients who underwent this procedure were retrospectively reviewed.
Results:
23 patients underwent implantation of 213 depth electrodes with use of this minimally invasive technique. Mean (SD) operative time was 123 (32) minutes (range, 66-181 minutes). A mean (SD) of 9.3 (1.4) electrodes were placed for each patient (range, 8-13 electrodes). Two of the 213 electrodes (0.9%) were associated with postimplantation asymptomatic hemorrhage. None of the 213 electrodes were associated with symptomatic complications. No patients experienced postoperative symptomatic complications, and no patients died. No patients experienced infectious complications at any point in the preoperative, perioperative, or postoperative stages.
Conclusions:
This minimally invasive technique for SEEG depth electrode implantation is a safe, efficient method that requires minimal hair shaving. This study suggests that leaving patient hair largely intact throughout the procedure does not present an additional infection risk.
Funding: No funding