Martine Fohlen

Fondation de Rothschild, Fondation Ophtalmologique Adolphe de Rothschild

Papers

Total Citations

122

H-Index

About

Martine Fohlen is a leading neurosurgeon whose work has fundamentally advanced the surgical treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy, particularly in children. Her research focuses on hypothalamic hamartomas (HH), rare, deep-seated brain lesions that cause severe, often catastrophic epilepsy. Fohlen’s major contribution lies in pioneering and refining minimally invasive disconnection procedures, shifting the paradigm from risky lesion removal to safer, equally effective disconnection. Her highly cited work, including a 2014 study on robot-assisted, thulium laser–based endoscopic disconnection, demonstrated the safety and feasibility of this technique, achieving 61 citations. A subsequent 2020 paper on surgical treatment of HH has also garnered 61 citations, underscoring her sustained impact. By integrating robotic assistance with precise laser ablation, Fohlen has reduced surgical morbidity while maintaining seizure control, offering new hope for patients with previously inoperable epilepsies. Her achievements have established her as a key figure in pediatric epilepsy surgery, influencing how surgeons worldwide approach these challenging cases.