Comparing the extent of hippocampal removal to the outcome in terms of seizure control.

The relationship between the outcome of temporal lobectomy for epilepsy and the size of the hippocampectomy tailored to intraoperative electrocorticographic findings was evaluated in 52 patients, with at least 1 year of follow-up. In 22 patients, < 2.0 cm of hippocampus was removed. Postoperatively, 16 (72.7%) were class I (seizure-free), 3 (13.6%) were class II (rare seizures) and 3 (13.6%) were class IV (no worthwhile improvement). In 30 patients, > or = 2.0 cm of hippocampus was removed, and the results were as follows: 21 (70%) were class I, 4 (13.3%) were class II, 1 (3.3%) was class III (worthwhile improvement) and 4 (13.3%) were class IV. Statistically significant differences were not present.