<P> Within the last fifteen years, a few types of functional hemispherectomies have emerged . One such procedure is known as peri-insular hemispherectomy . Peri-insular hemispherectomy has been developed to allow for seizure relief with minimal brain tissue removal . In this procedure, the surgeon aims to disconnect (rather than remove) the hemisphere, in order to minimize long term complications . Another procedure relatively new to epilepsy surgery is endoscopic surgery (see endoscopy), surgery performed using small camera scopes and little incision sites . Its appeal lies in its minimally invasive nature, which generally decreases chance of infection and increases speed of physical recovery . </P> <P> Because of the dramatic alteration of brain composition and the inherent risk that hemispherectomies pose, there are criteria that must be met in order for a person to qualify for the procedure . Criteria include no successful control of seizures throughout a variety of drug trials, and a reasonable to high chance of procedural success . </P> <P> One such predictor of success is often the age of the patient . This procedure is almost exclusively performed in children because their brains generally display more neuroplasticity, allowing neurons from the remaining hemisphere to take over the tasks from the lost hemisphere . This likely occurs by strengthening neural connections which already exist on the unaffected side but which would have otherwise remained small in a normally functioning, uninjured brain . In one study of children under 5 who had this surgery to treat catastrophic epilepsy, 73.7% were freed of all seizures . </P> <P> Success of the procedure is not, however, limited to children . A study in 2007 indicated the long - term efficacy of anatomic hemispherectomy in carefully selected adults, with seizure control sustainable over multiple decades . A case study published in 2015 of 2 adults aged 48 and 38 demonstrated the success of functional hemispherectomy in treating status epilepticus (SE), an epileptic condition in which seizures are prolonged or occur closely together . In 2012, a case study following 30 individuals having undergone some form of hemispherectomy in adulthood found that 81% of individuals were seizure free post-procedure . Furthermore, almost all participating patients reported improved quality of life . The conclusion: "(a) dult patients do not have to expect more problems with new deficits, appear to cope quite well, and mostly profit from surgery in several quality of life domains ." </P>

How can someone live with half a brain