Internationally Recognized Curriculum Launched to Standardize Epilepsy Surgery Training

The International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) has introduced the first comprehensive international curriculum dedicated to epilepsy surgery, aiming to establish uniform training standards worldwide. Developed by a specialized task force, this knowledge-based curriculum was evaluated by 122 experts in neurology and neurosurgery globally. It covers essential areas such as epilepsy diagnosis, surgical counseling, pre-surgical evaluation, and surgical techniques. The curriculum is designed to address two training levels: Level 1, which encompasses widely available surgical techniques, and Level 2, which focuses on more advanced, high-tech surgical interventions. This initiative seeks to bridge the existing training gaps across different centers, some of which have well-structured epilepsy surgery curricula while others lack formal programs.

Christian Dorfer, a leading figure from the Department of Neurosurgery at the Medical University of Vienna and founding president of the International Epilepsy Surgery Society, emphasized that standardized training could help ensure high-quality treatment for epilepsy patients worldwide. Similarly, Arthur Cukiert, director of the São Paulo Epilepsy Clinic, highlighted the importance of establishing a universal curriculum to improve overall surgical practices.

Epilepsy surgery is typically considered when medications fail to control seizures, involving procedures like removal or destruction of seizure-originating brain areas, disconnection of brain regions, or implantation of neurostimulators. Despite its proven safety and effectiveness in clinical trials, less than 1% of candidates with drug-resistant epilepsy are referred for surgical evaluation, underscoring the significant treatment gap. About one-third of individuals with epilepsy experience drug-resistant forms that may benefit from surgery.

The new curriculum aims to address these disparities by providing clear training pathways and promoting more consistent surgical practices across the globe. The details of the curriculum were published in the journal Epileptic Disorders, representing a significant step toward improving epilepsy care worldwide. For more information, the full report can be accessed through DOI: 10.1002/epd2.70054.