Jipmer marks 100 epilepsy surgeries, set to introduce advanced Stereo-EEG monitoring
Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (Jipmer) has achieved a significant milestone by completing its 100th successful epilepsy surgery. The procedure was recently performed on a 30-year-old man diagnosed with focal cortical dysplasia and drug-resistant epilepsy, the institute confirmed.
Since the launch of its Comprehensive Epilepsy Care Programme in 2015, Jipmer has steadily expanded its neurosurgical capabilities. According to the institute, around 50 of these surgeries were performed in the last two years alone, reflecting a marked increase in both patient referrals and surgical expertise.
Epilepsy remains a major public health challenge in India, affecting millions of people. While many patients achieve control with anti-seizure medications, a significant number develop drug-resistant epilepsy, where seizures persist despite appropriate medical treatment. For carefully selected patients, surgery offers the possibility of substantial and sustained seizure reduction, and in some cases, complete freedom from seizures.
Jipmer Director Vir Singh Negi called the achievement a matter of pride for the entire team. "Epilepsy surgery is one of the most complex areas of neurological care," he said. "It requires meticulous presurgical evaluation, advanced investigations, highly specialized surgical expertise and close coordination between multiple departments."
Beyond the numerical milestone, Negi emphasized the impact on patients and families. "Every patient who comes to the institute with drug-resistant epilepsy carries the burden of recurrent seizures and the limitations they impose on education, employment, independence and quality of life," he noted. "Our endeavor is to ensure that suitable patients are identified early and provided access to the most appropriate treatment."
The institute has announced plans to further strengthen the programme by introducing invasive epilepsy monitoring, including Stereo-EEG (SEEG). This technique allows doctors to precisely locate the source of seizures in patients where conventional non-invasive tests are inconclusive. It is particularly useful for deep-seated or complex focal epilepsy cases.
Introducing these facilities will significantly expand the range of patients who can be evaluated at Jipmer, potentially enabling treatment for those who currently have limited options. The initiative aligns with the institute's broader goal of becoming a stronger referral centre for complex epilepsy care in the region.
As Jipmer moves forward, the focus remains on early identification and comprehensive, accessible treatment for all who need it. The next phase of growth underscores the institution's commitment to advancing neurological care in India through a combination of surgical excellence, multidisciplinary teamwork and cutting-edge technology.
