PATIENT SATISFACTION WITH SURGICAL-TREATMENT OF REFRACTORY EPILEPSY DONE IN CHILDHOOD AND EARLY ADOLESCENCE

The results of a retrospective self-controlled telephone satisfaction survey of 63 patients who had undergone an earlier resection for the t reatment of medically refractory epilepsy before the age of 18 years w as reported. The survey items consisted of a global rating scale and a series of open-ended questions about positive and negative outcomes a s a result of the surgery. Most (80%) of the patients felt the surgery had had a positive effect on their lives. The mean global score was 6 .24+2.4 (scale 0-9), Strong positive correlations were found between s eizure control and degree of satisfaction and between perceived postsu rgical neurological deficits and dissatisfaction.