Background: Drug resistant epilepsy is present in nearly 30% of patients. Resection of the epileptogenic zone has been found to be the most effective in achieving seizure freedom. The study of temporal lobe epilepsy for surgical treatment is extensive and complex. It involves a multidisciplinary team in decision-making with initial non-invasive studies (Phase I), providing 70% of required information to elaborate a hypothesis and treatment plans. Select cases present more complexity involving bilateral clinical or electrographic manifestations, have contradicting information or may involve deeper structures as a part of the epileptogenic zone. Methods: A review of the literature was done with key terms such as: “temporal lobe epilepsy”and “SEEG”and “intracranial EEG”, “epilepsy surgery”, un Pubmed, EMBASE, Medlink and Scielo. Most cutting edge, controversial subjects surrounding this field were considered. Results: In this comprehensive review, we explore the indications, usefulness, discoveries in interictal and ictal findings, pitfalls, and advances in the science of presurgical stereo-encephalography for temporal lobe epilepsy. Conclusions: Intracranial recording follows original concepts since its development by Bancaud and Talairach, but great advances have been made in the field. Stereo-electroencephalography is a growing field of study, treatment and establishment of seizure pattern complexities.