Vinmec Central Park pioneers robotic guidance in paediatric epilepsy surgery

Doctors at Vinmec Central Park International Hospital have successfully performed epilepsy surgery on a nine-year-old boy using the AutoGuide™ Robotic Guidance System, marking the first time this technology has been applied in paediatric epilepsy surgery in Vietnam.

The patient, B.Q.K., from Hanoi, began experiencing seizures in 2021. Despite undergoing a range of treatment regimens both in Vietnam and abroad, his condition remained drug-resistant, with episodes occurring dozens of times each day. For nearly five years, his family sought help at numerous medical centres in the hope of giving him restful nights free of seizures.

After a multidisciplinary case review, the medical team at Vinmec Central Park opted to use the AutoGuide™ robotic navigation system to perform stereo-electroencephalography (SEEG). This advanced technique allowed doctors to precisely locate the epileptogenic zone – the area of the brain responsible for the seizures – with minimal invasiveness, reduced operative time, and enhanced accuracy.

Seven days of continuous SEEG monitoring revealed the epileptogenic zone in the right orbitofrontal cortex and inferior frontal gyrus – complex areas densely packed with neural pathways and blood vessels.

On 17 June 2025, the surgical team led by Dr Truong Van Tri, with technical support from Assoc. Prof. Dr Shunsuke Nakae, an epilepsy specialist from Japan, successfully removed the epileptic zone. The operation was completed without any postoperative neurological complications.

More than one month after surgery, the patient had resumed normal activities and play. Only two minor nocturnal seizures have been recorded since – representing a reduction of more than 95% compared to the preoperative frequency.

“This is the first time we’ve achieved such an outstanding result in paediatric epilepsy surgery, thanks to robotic guidance,” said Dr Tri. “It marks a significant milestone, especially for young patients who are particularly vulnerable to the risks of major brain surgery.”

The success of this case demonstrates the potential of combining cutting-edge technology with international medical collaboration, offering new hope for children with drug-resistant epilepsy in Vietnam and beyond.