Epilepsy Surgery: An Alternative For Those Whose Seizures Cannot Be Controlled

(www.clevelandclinic.org)

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders, affecting up to one percent of the population in the United States. Plus more than 45,000 children ages 18 and younger are diagnosed with epilepsy every year. Overall, medication can control seizures in 60 to 70% of epilepsy patients. For those whose epilepsy cannot be controlled with anticonvulsant medication, or experience intolerable side effects from anticonvulsants, there are other options available, including epilepsy surgery. The success of epilepsy surgery is measured in terms of the operation’s impact on seizure control and improvement in quality of life. Successful surgery eliminates seizures in the majority of cases. In a minority of cases, seizure frequency is markedly reduced.