Abstract
We have studied the outcome of epileptic seizures and social as well as occupational adaptability in 30 patients who underwent anterior temporal lobectomy for medically uncontrolled seizures. The surgical indication has been carefully scrutinized in accordance to our hospital criteria. As a result, complex partial seizures were satisfactorily controlled in all operated patients. The outcome has been followed up date for more than 1 year in 14 out of the 30 patients in which complex partial seizures were found completely controlled in 11 and markedly improved in frequency in 3 patients.
The occupational placement of the 14 patients was also favorable; almost all patients being placed on a part-time job 6 months after the surgery and about a half on more or less full-time work 1 year and 6 months after the operation.
Six patients were found to have failed in obtaining job in spite of the seizures being satisfactorily controlled. The reasons were their character disturbance which had been manifest before the surgery and made their social adaptation difficult.
Needless to say, surgical treatments for epilepsy are indicated preferably for patients who are psychically intact and whose seizures are proven to be medication resistant.
Nonetheless, as shown in our results, the improvement of the seizures is not an omnipotent key for the patients to become socially adaptable but socio-psychological intervention and appropriate drug therapy are mandatory in the post-surgery management.
