Surgical Care for Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome Varies Across Centers

Source: Epilepsia open

Summary

This study looked at how pediatric epilepsy centers in the United States make decisions about surgery for children with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS), a severe type of epilepsy. Researchers sent out a survey to 32 epilepsy centers to gather information on their surgical practices, including when they recommend surgery, how they evaluate patients, and what types of surgical procedures they offer. The survey included questions about the centers' demographics, the timing and goals of surgical evaluations, and the challenges they face in providing surgical care.

The key findings showed that there is a lot of variation in how centers approach surgery for LGS. Most centers wait until a child has tried 3-4 different medications before considering surgery. Common evaluations before surgery include brain scans and long-term monitoring of brain activity. While many centers offer various surgical options, such as resection and vagus nerve stimulation, the choice of procedure often depends on factors like the child's age, type of seizures, and family preferences. Some newer techniques, like deep brain stimulation, are used less frequently in younger children.

These findings are important because they reveal inconsistencies in surgical care for children with LGS, which can affect their treatment outcomes. The study highlights the need for clearer guidelines to ensure that all children have equal access to the best surgical options available. However, the study also has limitations, such as the relatively low response rate from centers, which may not fully represent all practices across the country.

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