Kerling F, Pauli E, Lorber B, Blümcke I, Buchfelder M, Stefan H. Drug withdrawal after successful epilepsy surgery: how safe is it?
Epilepsy Behav 2009;
15:476-80. [PMID:
19546031 DOI:
10.1016/j.yebeh.2009.05.016]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2009] [Revised: 05/29/2009] [Accepted: 05/31/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Discontinuation of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) is one reason patients undergo epilepsy surgery, but little is known about the risk of seizure recurrence. We describe a prospective pilot study of withdrawal performed at our epilepsy center. Sixty completely seizure-free patients were included between 1997 and 2003. AED withdrawal was proposed 1 year after surgery after a detailed discussion of the risks and benefits. On the basis of their decision on withdrawal, patients were stratified into two cohorts (withdrawal group, N=34; control group, N=26). Discontinuation was carried out in small tapering steps over 1 year with yearly follow-up visits. Withdrawal was stopped when seizures recurred or the patients objected to further discontinuation. Twenty-six of 34 (76.5%) persons in the withdrawal group and 16 of 26 (61.5%) persons in the control group were seizure free 5 years after surgery. In this study, AED discontinuation 1 year after successful epilepsy surgery was not associated with a risk of seizure recurrence higher than that of controls.
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