Hemispherectomy

Hemispherectomy is a delicate and rare procedure where there is partial or total surgical removal, disconnection, or disabling of a cerebral hemisphere or a half part of the brain.

This was first performed by Dr. Dandy in 1928 on a patient with malignant brain tumor.

There are two types of hemispherectomy: anatomic and functional.

Anatomic hemispherectomy is the removal of the outer parts of the brain, which are the frontal, temporal, occipital, and temporal lobes, while the inner layers are left intact. This type has higher risks of delayed hydrocephalus and blood loss. On the other hand, the functional technique involves less risk as it is only the removal of a smaller area as well as disconnecting the brain tissues which are left in place.