title: Long-term outcome of resective epilepsy surgery in Norwegian children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term results of resective surgery on children with difficult-to-treat epilepsy in Norway.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the period 1995-2004, 64 surgical procedures (54 resections and 10 functional hemispherotomies) were performed in 54 children. The children's medical records were retrospectively reviewed at a minimum of 2 years after surgery. We sent a questionnaire regarding their epilepsy (seizures, usage of antiepileptic drugs) and general functioning (social situation, motor, language, cognition, behavioural or emotional problems, any remedial action) to the children/parents after a mean follow-up period of 7 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  55.5% of the children were seizure-free. The success rate varied according to the type of surgery. Best results were found after functional hemispherotomies and temporal lobe resections, as nine of 10 (90%) and 10 of 19 (53%) of these patients, respectively, became seizure-free. In addition to a better seizure control, 71% of the children/parents reported of a better cognitive and psychosocial functioning.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of epilepsy surgery in this paediatric cohort are very edifying, and it is our impression that this treatment option is underused in Norway.
authors.affiliation: National Center for Epilepsy, Division of Surgery and Neuroscience, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway. Kari.Modalsli.Aaberg@fhi.no
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Aaberg
authors.forename: A-S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Eriksson
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ramm-Pettersen
authors.forename: K O
authors.initials: KO
authors.lastname: Nakken
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D038421:Hemispherectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009664:Norway; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants