Epilepsy Surgery in Pediatric Patients: A Single-Center Experience

Abstract

Objectives: Epilepsy surgery is one of the treatment options in pediatric patients with drug-resistant epilepsy. Our aim is to share demographic data, surgical outcome, possible surgical complications, and factors that affect surgical outcome in pediatric patients with drug-resistant epilepsy who were operated in our clinic. Methods: In this retrospective study, 85 patients who were operated in Acibadem Hospital Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery Clinic between years 2005 and 2017 were included. We investigated the influence of sex, age at seizure onset, side and frequency of seizures, time to surgery, type of epilepsy surgery, and histopathology on pediatric epilepsy surgery outcome. Surgical outcome was assessed by Engel classification system. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 20.0 software. Results: There were 56 male (66\%) and 29 female (34\%) participants. Median of the age of seizure onset is 2 years (1 day-15 years). Median of age at operation is 6.2 years (3 months-16 years). Median of the duration of seizure until surgery is 3.2 years (3 months-15.5 years). Median follow-up is 5.6 years (3 months-13.5 years). There were permanent motor neurological deficits in 3 patients (3.5\%). The best surgical outcome was achieved in patients with resective surgeries (p<0.01). Age at seizure onset was the most important factor that influences surgical outcome in our patients (p<0.05). Conclusion: Epilepsy surgery is one of the safe and effective treatment options in pediatric patients with drug-resistant epilepsy.