Quality of life typically improves dramatically after surgery, says Dr. Meyer. "If these patients have improved seizure control after surgery, which most of them do, then there is an incredible paradigm shift toward a better quality of life," he says. "These patients break out from the stigmata of epilepsy and find employment, often drive, and lead a productive life."
Risk with epilepsy surgery is relatively low: 4 percent of patients studied had medical problems due to anesthesia or other neurological complications during surgery. Risk varies by seizure type, where the seizure focal region is located, and other factors, according to Dr. Meyer.
Though epilepsy surgery is not risk free, Dr. Cascino notes that patients with intractable epilepsy are continually at risk already before surgery due to their disease. "This is a big operation for a big medical problem," he says. "These patients are medically, physically and socially affected by their disease."
Dr. Cascino says that it is cost-effective for society when surgery can stop a patient's seizures, due to the significant number of epilepsy patients who are unemployed or underemployed because of their seizures.
An appropriate candidate for epilepsy surgery is in good health, with the exception of epilepsy; is not responding to seizure medications; the region of the brain affected by the disease can be pinpointed; and the affected region of the brain can be safely extracted without damaging the surrounding area. Though 30 percent to 40 percent of epileptics might be candidates, the surgery is underutilized, according to Dr. Cascin
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Contact: Lisa Lucier
newsbureau@mayo.edu
507-284-5005
Mayo Clinic
4-Apr-2006