Antiepileptic drug treatment following temporal lobectomy.

Antiepileptic drug use was documented before and after temporal lobectomy. Carbamazepine, phenytoin, and clobazam were the most commonly used drugs, both pre- and postoperatively. Preoperatively, polytherapy was used in 78% of patients; at 6 months follow-up, 47%; at 12 months, 18%; and at 24 months, 14%. Preoperatively, monotherapy was used in 20% of patients; at 6 months follow-up, 49%; at 12 months, 55%; and at 24 months, 42%. No medication was used preoperatively by 2% of patients; at 6 months follow-up, 2%; at 12 months, 27%; and at 24 months, 44% (p < 0.001). After 2 years, 53% of patients who were seizure free had stopped taking medication, as had 33% who had some seizures after surgery.