Abstract: Objective To investigate the results and complications of hemispherotomy for drug resistant hemispheric epilepsy. Methods The authors reviewed 5 patients who were diagnosed as drug resistant hemispheric epilepsy and operated in the neurosurgery department of Peking Union Medical College Hospital from 2011 to 2013. All the 5 patients were underwent hemispherotomy after carefully multidisciplinary pre-operation evaluation. Results All patients tolerated the procedure well and the postoperative course was smooth. All the 5 patients were seizure free in the period of following up of 46 to 69 months. Conclusions According to literatures and the authors’ experience, hemispherotomy is as safe and efficient for hemispheric epilepsy as hemispherectomy. It is the most important modification for hemispherectomy. The procedure of hemispherotomy is complex but not very difficult, Illustrating a good prospect of application and extension.

Key words: hemispherotomy, hemispherectomy, hemispheric epilepsy, surgery