Complete Corpus Callosotomy Brings Worthwhile Seizure Reduction in Both Pediatric and Adult Patients

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The influence of the age at which complete corpus callosotomy (CC) surgery is performed on seizure outcomes remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the age-dependent aspects of long-term seizure outcomes after complete CC. METHODS: We reviewed 41 patients who underwent one-stage complete CC. Seizure outcomes were analyzed for age at epilepsy onset and at complete CC, focal MRI abnormality, and etiology. RESULTS: The median age was 7 months at epilepsy onset and 93 months at complete CC. The median follow-up duration was 67 months. Sixteen patients had focal MRI lesions and 4 had only general atrophy. Etiology was identified in 20 patients. For overall seizure outcomes (N = 41), complete seizure freedom was achieved in 5 patients, excellent seizure reduction (>80%) in 11, good (50%-80%) in 5, and poor (<50%) in 20. Freedom was correlated with younger age at complete CC and unknown etiology (P ≤ .05). Freedom was only achieved in patients aged younger than 7 years. Worthwhile (≥50%, freedom, excellent, and good) and not worthwhile (<50%, poor) overall seizure reduction showed no statistical difference in age at complete CC. No related factor was found for worthwhile overall seizure reduction. For drop attack outcomes (N = 31), freedom was achieved in 22 cases, excellent in 5, and poor in 4. Freedom was correlated with younger age at complete CC (P < .05) although freedom was achieved in 4 of 7 patients older than 20 years. Age at complete CC showed no statistical difference between worthwhile (≥50%) and not worthwhile (<50%) drop attack reduction. Worthwhile drop attack reduction was correlated with unknown etiology (P < .05). Complications were mild and transient. CONCLUSION: Complete CC is an excellent surgical option based on favorable seizure outcomes and acceptable complications in our present study.