title: Complications to invasive epilepsy surgery workup with subdural and depth electrodes: a prospective population-based observational study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In some patients who undergo presurgical workup for drug-resistant epilepsy invasive seizure monitoring is needed to define the seizure onset zone and delineate eloquent cortex. Such procedures carry risks for complications causing permanent morbidity and even mortality. In this study, prospective data on complications in a national population-based sample were analysed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Complication data from the prospective Swedish National Epilepsy Surgery Register were analysed for 271 patients in whom therapeutic surgery was preceded by invasive monitoring 1996-2010.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Complications occurred in 13/271 patients (4.8%). Subdural grids carried the highest risk of complications (7.4%). There was no surgical mortality or permanent morbidity. Subdural haematomas were most common (n=7) followed by epidural haematomas (n=3). Valproate treatment and having a haematoma was associated with an OR of 1.53 (CI 0.38 to 6.12) compared to having a haematoma without valproate treatment. Having a complication during invasive monitoring was associated with a significant OR of 6.27 (CI 1.32 to 29.9) of also having a complication at therapeutic surgery compared to the risk of having a complication only at surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this prospective population-based epilepsy surgery series, the most common complications were haematomas, and subdural grids carried the highest risk. Close supervision and rapid interventions led to avoidance of permanent morbidity. The clinical implications of the slightly increased risk of haematomas with valproate treatment needs further investigation as does the finding of an increased risk for complications at epilepsy surgery for patients who had a complication during invasive monitoring.
authors.affiliation: Epilepsy Research Group, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy at Gothenburg University, Göteborg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Emelie
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hedegärd
authors.affiliation: Epilepsy Research Group, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy at Gothenburg University, Göteborg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bjellvi
authors.affiliation: Epilepsy Research Group, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy at Gothenburg University, Göteborg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Edelvik
authors.affiliation: Epilepsy Research Group, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy at Gothenburg University, Göteborg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Bertil
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rydenhag
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden.
authors.forename: Roland
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Flink
authors.affiliation: Epilepsy Research Group, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy at Gothenburg University, Göteborg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Kristina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Malmgren
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001931:Brain Mapping / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006406:Hematoma / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: EEG; Epilepsy, Surgery; Neurosurgery