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. Thi s paper examines the question: ''Does this result in a better socioeco nomic outcome in later years?'' Patients who underwent a surgical proc edure for the treatment of their medically refractory epilepsy at our hospital, had more than 2-years' follow-up, and were less than 18 year s old at time of survey were included. From a retrospective chart revi ew, age at onset and at surgery, duration of seizures prior to surgery , years of follow-up, type of surgery, and neurological status were ob tained. From a telephone survey, seizure frequency after surgery, mari tal, 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 clas s I Engel outcome compared to other Engel outcomes.