Changing what’s possible

For your patients with epilepsy, the Visualase™ MRI-Guided Laser Ablation system changes what’s possible in terms of treatment and recovery. By ablating epileptic foci in the brain with unmatched precision,1-3 the Visualase™ system has the potential to not only treat, but cure patients4 – in a minimally-invasive procedure . 5,6

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Is the Visualase™ system right for my patient?

Treatment with the Visualase™ system can mean less time in hospital,5 and a fuller recovery for your patients with epilepsy.5 Find out more about the approved indications.

How can I refer my patient for a Visualase™ procedure?

We can connect you with neurosurgeons who perform Visualase™ procedures in your area. Fill out the contact form at the bottom of the page to speak with a Medtronic representative – or join the Visualase™ community to access information and resources to help guide you.

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Drug-resistant Epilepsy (DRE)

Between 11% and 41% of patients with epilepsy are drug resistant.7-12 For these patients, surgery may be the best option for effective treatment.

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Resective surgery for patients with DRE


The goal for resective surgery on patients with DRE is to give them complete seizure freedom. This ideal result can minimise the costs incurred to hospitals for further patient care. However, in many cases, resective surgery cannot be safely performed without resulting in neurological deficits for the patient, and an alternative treatment option is needed.13

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Understanding the risks of resective surgery

Neurological deficits continue to be a major consequence of surgery for epilepsy.13

- Temporal lobectomy with/without amygdalohippocampectomy: 5.2%

- Extratemporal lobar or multilobar resections: 19.5%

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Limited patient access

Patient access to resective surgery is limited due to a number of factors, including a lack of information in referral networks, and patient refusal.14

Although patients may be eligible for resective surgery, many refuse it due to fear of open surgery.14 There is also a lack of awareness in referral networks about resective surgery as an effective treatment for DRE, which means it is under referred and undertreated.15

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High risks of complications

Resective surgery can be an effective treatment option for DRE in a number of circumstances, but the trade-off between effectiveness and patient safety should be carefully considered in each case.

The risk of complications from resective surgery is relatively high. The rates of complications range from 2 percent to 37 percent depending on definition, procedure, and population.13,16-18

Understanding the risks of resective surgery for DRE can help you to find the best treatment option for your patient. Infection, death, or persistent neurological deficits can all result from this surgery.13,16-19

+12%

Meningitis

+8%

New persistent neurological defecit: aphasia

+2%

Major visual field defects

+3%

Affecting daily life: hemi/monoperesis16-19

The Visualase system for DRE

Graph showing the percent of patients achieving seizure freedom

Lower risk

For patients with DRE, treatment with the Visualase™ system is associated with lower risks than resective surgery.20-28

Cognitive decline after surgery is also less likely for patients treated with the Visualase™ system, compared to those who undergo resective surgery.27 The risk of device and procedure-related complications is also low to moderate.20-28

 

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Freedom from seizures

Treatment using the Visualase™ system gives patients with DRE a 41% to 100% chance of complete seizure freedom.20-27

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Less invasive

A smaller incision and shorter hospital stays.4

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Making complete seizure freedom possible

For patients with DRE, the Visualase™ system can put an end to seizures, with the probability of complete seizure freedom after treatment with the Visualase™ system between 41% and 100%.20-27 The rates of complete seizure freedom after resective surgery are only 58%-73%.29-31

Shorter hospital stays

Treatment with the VisualaseTM system often means less time in hospital
for epilepsy patients, with most patients being discharged in as little as a
day after surgery.22-23, 33-36

Less time in the hospital means more time for living.

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Lower risk of cognitive decline

Open resection can lead to cognitive decline and cognitive morbidity in epilepsy patients post-surgery.27 However, treatment with the Visualase™ system is less likely to result in cognitive decline.27

Better support

We can help you find a treatment option that is right for your patient. Our team is here to support you with the information you need to make the most informed decisions for your patient’s care.

Sign up to be contacted by a Medtronic representative for more customised support, to be notified of educational opportunities, and to hear about our latest product innovations.

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Brief statement:
See the device manual for detailed information regarding the instructions for use, indications, contraindications, warnings, precautions and potential adverse events. For further information, contact your local Medtronic representative and/or consult the Medtronic website at www.medtronic.eu.
  1. Yuen et al, 2014, Stereotact Funct Neurosurg. 92(3):160-169
  2. Hawasli et al, 2012, Operative Neurosurgery, 70:onsE332-onsE338
  3. Mohammadi et al, 2014, Expert Review of Medical Devices, 11(2):109-119
  4. Hawasli et al, 2013, Neurosurgery, 73(6):1007-1017
  5. Petito et al, 2018, Epilepsy & Behavior, 78:37-44
  6. Waseem et al, 2015, Epilepsy & Behavior, 51:152-157
  7. Kwan et al, 2000, N Engl J Med, 342(5):314-319
  8. Hui et al, 2007, Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery, 109(8):672-675
  9. Picot et al, 2008, Epilepsia, 49(7):1230-1238.
  10. Mohanraj et al, 2006, Eur J Neurol, 13(3):277-282
  11. Giussani et al, 2016, Epilepsy Behav, 55:30-37
  12. Chen, 2013, Journal of Medical Economics, 16(2):240-248
  13. Tebo et al, 2014, Journal of Neurosurgery, 120:6 (1415-1427).
  14. Anderson et al, 2013, Epilepsy Research and Treatment, 309284
  15. Lim et al, 2013, Epilepsy Res. 107(3):286-96
  16. Bjellvi et al, 2015, J Neurosurg. Mar;122(3):519-25.38 18 
  17. Hader et al, 2013, Epilepsia, 54(5):840-7
  18. Spencer et al, 2002, Epilepsia, 43:2 (141-145)
  19. Rolston et al, 2016, Epilepsy Research, 124 (55-62)
  20. Koubeissi et al, 2009, 87:1 (47-53)
  21. Lewis et al, 2015, Epilepsia, 56(10):1590-8
  22. Willie et al, 2014, Neurosurgery, 74(6):569-84; discussion 584-5
  23. Wilfong et al, 2013, Epilepsia, 54 Suppl 9:109-14
  24. Kang et al, 2016, Epilepsia, 57:325–34
  25. Wu et al, 2015, Neurosurgery, 11 Suppl 2:345-56; discussion 356-7
  26. Curry et al, 2012, Epilepsy Behav, 24(4):408-14
  27. McCracken et al, 2016, Oper Neurosurg, 12(1):39-48
  28. Drane et al, 2015, Epilepsia, 56(1):101-13.
  29. Nour et al, 2014, Photonics & Lasers in Medicine, 3: 117-128
  30. Wiebe et al, 2001, NEnglJMed, 345(5):311-8
  31. Engel et al, 2012, JAMA, 307(9):922-30. doi: 10.1001/jama.2012.220
  32. Tellez-Zenteno et al, 2010, Epilepsy Res, 89:310–318
  33. Jethwa PR et al. Operative Neurosurgery. 2012;71:ons133-ons145. doi:10.1227/NEU.0b013e31826101d4.
  34. Kang JY et al. Epilepsia. 2016;57(2):325-334. doi:10.1111/epi.13284.
  35. Lewis EC et al. Epilepsia. 2015;56(10):1590-1598. doi:10.1111/epi.13106.
  36. Patel P et al. 2016;125(4):853-860. doi:10.3171/2015.7.JNS15244.