Rick's epilepsy brain surgery by Paul Heckbert

Dr. Mark Richardson performs a right temporal craniotomy and amygdalohippocampectomy (removal of the mesial temporal lobe structures, the amygdala and hippocampus) for Richard Palmer, who had a low grade brain tumor removed from his temporal lobe in 198(6?) and has had medically refractory epilepsy since that time.  The goal of the operation is to remove the dysfunctional areas of the brain causing Rick's seizures.

In the dark blue scrub cap is Mark Richardson, MD.
The scrub nurse at center is Gwen.
The medical student (at right) is Sam Shin, PhD, an aspiring neurosurgeon.

Dr. Richardson steers the stereo microscope (monitor visible at left) with his teeth, leaving both hands free for surgical tools. The scrub nurse assists by handing him tools periodically. Rick, draped in blue, lying on his left side on the surgical table and under general anesthesia, has his head clamped in place, at the left end of the table.

The operation was done at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Rick asked me, Paul, his friend and colleague, to photograph this operation, and we proceeded with Dr. Richardson's approval.