title: Phenytoin and postoperative epilepsy. A double-blind study.
abstract: A double-blind trial of phenytoin therapy following craniotomy was performed to test the hypothesis that phenytoin is effective in reducing postoperative epilepsy. A significant reduction in the frequency of epilepsy was observed in the group receiving the active drug up to the 10th postoperative week. Half of the seizures occurred in the first 2 weeks and two-thirds within 1 month of cranial surgery. High rates of epilepsy were observed after surgery in patients with meningioma, metastasis, aneurysm, and head injury. Routine prophylaxis with phenytoin (in a dosage of 5 to 6 mg/kg/day) would seem to be indicated, particularly in high-risk patients and, where possible, this treatment should be started 1 week preoperatively. Seizure control is best when therapeutic levels of phenytoin are maintained.
mesh_terms: D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003399:Craniotomy; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010672:Phenytoin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D010672:Phenytoin