Long-term socioeconomic outcome following surgical intervention in the treatment of refractory epilepsy in childhood and adolescence.

Surgical treatment of refractory epilepsy in childhood and adolescence has been shown to be effective in reducing the seizure frequency. This paper examines the question: "Does this result in a better socioeconomic outcome in later years?" Patients who underwent a surgical procedure for the treatment of their medically refractory epilepsy at our hospital, had more than 2-years' follow-up, and were less than 18 years old at time of survey were included. From a retrospective chart review, age at onset and at surgery, duration of seizures prior to surgery, years of follow-up, type of surgery, and neurological status were obtained. From a telephone survey, seizure frequency after surgery, marital, financial and driving status, level of education, and employment status were ascertained. Sixty-four patients in our epileptic surgical series meet entry criteria. Significantly higher levels of education, employment status and independence were found in patients with a class I Engel outcome compared to other Engel outcomes.