Patients with epilepsy (adults and children)
Patients with drug-resistant epilepsy
Domestic and international patients
In 1987, Professor Yang-Hsin Shih established the epilepsy surgery team at the Neurological Institute of Taipei Veterans General Hospital. In our epilepsy surgery team, the neurologists are in charge of the pre-surgical non-invasive evaluation. Then, multidisciplinary professors including neurologists, neurosurgeons, radiologists, experts in nuclear medicine and neuropsychiatrist will discuss together and make the decision of the on-going treatment plan for the patient in the seizure conference. The patients and their family are invited to the seizure conference as well. Some patients may need further invasive evaluations. To achieve the best plan of the epilepsy surgery, intra-operative evaluations and monitors may be arranged for selected patients. We have accumulated a substantial amount of clinical service and many outstanding academic achievements in the past 30 years. These include: (1) we were the first established epilepsy surgery team in Taiwan; (2) we have the largest population of patients receiving epilepsy surgery in Taiwan; (3) our multidisciplinary team recruits the broadest scale of profession which comprises neurosurgery, neurology, brain imaging and neurophysiologial monitor; (4) our patients have the best post-operation outcome in the world; (5) we employ the most advanced technology and facilities to optimize the result of surgery; (6) we have the highest enthusiasm of social service and are fully devoted to breaking the social stigma for epilepsy.
Long-standing history: Pioneered epilepsy surgery in Taiwan in 1987
The most comprehensive epilepsy surgery team: Neurosurgery, Neurology, Anesthesiology, Pathology, Rehabilitation Medicine, Nursing, Psychiatry, Nuclear Medicine, Radiology, Pediatrics
The most complete range of epilepsy surgery procedures: Diagnostic, resective, disconnective, neuromodulatory, and radiosurgical procedures
Non-invasive preoperative evaluation in step with global standards
Invasive preoperative evaluation leading the way in Asia
Innovative intraoperative neurological function monitoring, uniquely advanced worldwide
To date, more than 1,500 epilepsy surgeries have been performed in both adult and pediatric patients
Various types of epilepsy surgery in adults (1987–2014, n=580)
Pediatric corpus callosotomy (1989–1996, n=83)
Overall seizure-free rate of the Taipei Veterans General Hospital team: 62.4% (Global median: 71%)
Short-term postoperative seizure-free rate for temporal lobe epilepsy: Taipei Veterans General Hospital 81% (Montreal, Canada 76%; UCLA, USA 73%)
Long-term postoperative seizure-free rate: Taipei Veterans General Hospital 53.6% (NHNN Queen Square, UK 52.0%; University of Bonn, Germany 50.5%)
Postoperative health-related quality of life improved significantly
Major complications: 1.7% — including infection and hemorrhage
Minor complications: 4.7% — including transient neurological deficits
No patients died as a result of surgery.
Overall satisfaction rate reached 100%.
International patients have come from Mongolia, China, the United States, Malaysia, and Singapore
Invited to author relevant textbook chapters
Clinical research has received multiple awards
More than 100 epilepsy-related international publications to date
Elevate domestic epilepsy surgery quality to align therapeutic outcomes with leading international medical centers.
Establish and standardize comprehensive protocols for pre-surgical evaluation, operative techniques, and intraoperative monitoring care.
Minimize surgical complications to optimize post-operative seizure-free rates and health-related quality of life (HRQOL).
Attract international patients, expand clinical research capacity, cultivate specialized talent, and promote healthcare sustainability.
