UCSF

OBJECTIVE: Postoperative improvement in seizures may impact quality of life. We examined the relationship between reduced seizure burden and quality of life in a surgical epilepsy clinic. METHODS: We reviewed data from all children who received epilepsy surgery at our center. Surgeries were classified as palliative or definitive based on the seizure outcome goals. We collected demographics, surgical data, Engel classification, and quality of life outcomes. RESULTS: Between 2016 and 2024, 282 patients underwent 338 surgeries. In the definitive surgery group, 66 patients (58%) attained an Engel 1 outcome at six months and 46 patients (58%) at 24 months. In the palliative surgery group, six patients (7%) attained an Engel 1 outcome at six months. At 12 months, 75% of patients who attained Engel 1 reported lower depression scores. CONCLUSION: Improvement in seizure burden and quality of life outcomes following epilepsy surgery may be related. Further outcomes research is required.