Surgery for drug refractory pediatric epilepsy: Saving and nurturing the developing brain

The drug refractory epilepsy in the pediatric age group can wreak havoc on the developing brain affecting all the important developmental milestones. This not only affects the child but also creates a socioeconomic burden to the family. Pediatric epilepsy poses a special challenge in not only the diagnosis of focal drug refractory epilepsy but also in the selection of surgical candidate. Awareness about the myriad numbers of focal epilepsies, current standard in pre-surgical evaluation, and the available minimally invasive surgical options are important in raising the standard of both the primary epilepsy care and a timely referral to a specialized center. Authors have made an attempt to emphasize the importance of early recognition and intervention along with the reviewing of the current evidences on the surgical management so that any treating pediatrician are informed well enough for a better clinical judgment.