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Article
Establishment of a comprehensive epilepsy center in Pakistan: initial experiences, results, and reflections
Epilepsy Res Treat
  • Muhammad Z Tahir, Aga Khan University
  • Z A Sobani, Aga Khan University
  • S. A. Quadri, Aga Khan University
  • S. Nizam Ahmed, Department of Neurology, University of Alberta Hospital Edmonton, AB, Canada
  • Fowzia Siddiqui, Aga Khan University
  • Syed Enam Enam, Agha Khan University
Publication Date
5-1-2011
Document Type
Article
Disciplines
Abstract

Background. Developing countries, home to 80% of epilepsy patients, do not have comprehensive epilepsy surgery programs. Considering these needs we set up first epilepsy surgery center in Pakistan. Methods. Seventeen teleconferences focused on setting up an epilepsy center at the Aga Khan University (AKU), Karachi, Pakistan were arranged with experts from the University of Alberta Hospital, Alberta, Canada and the University of West Virginia, USA over a two-year period. Subsequently, the experts visited the proposed center to provide hands on training. During this period several interactive teaching sessions, a nationwide workshop, and various public awareness events were organized. Results. Sixteen patients underwent surgery, functional hemispherectomy (HS) was done in six, anterior temporal lobectomy (ATL) in six, and neuronavigation-guided selective amygdalohippocampectomy (SAH) using keyhole technique in four patients. Minimal morbidity was observed in ATL and, SAH groups. All patients in SAH group (100%) had Grade 1 control, while only 5 patients (83%) in ATL group, and 4 patients (66%) in HS group had Grade 1 control according to Engel's classification, in average followups of 12 months, 24 months and 48 months for SAH, ATL, and HS, respectively. Conclusion. As we share our experience we hope to set a practical example for economically constrained countries that successful epilepsy surgery centers can be managed with limited resources.

Citation Information
Muhammad Z Tahir, Z A Sobani, S. A. Quadri, S. Nizam Ahmed, et al.. "Establishment of a comprehensive epilepsy center in Pakistan: initial experiences, results, and reflections" Epilepsy Res Treat Vol. 2012 Iss. 2 (2011) p. 1 - 6
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/ather_enam/26/