[Surgical treatment of frontal lobe epilepsy--40 cases]

To compare the methods and outcome of the treatment of frontal lobe epilepsy (FLE).

We combined such techniques, as intraoperative electrocorticography (ECoG), corpus callostomy(CCS), and multiple subpial transection(MST) to improve the surgical results. When preoperative semiology suggested the involvement of the bilateral frontal lobe or ECoG detected bilaterally synchronized epileptic discharged, anterior corpus callosotomy was performed before the main surgical procedure. MST was applied to the unresectable motor or involved speech zone. This technique was also useful for the treatment of widely disseminated epileptic zone. Satisfactory results were obtained in surgical treatment of FLE.

One month after operation, most patients were free from seizure. No severe complications and operative death occurred. Follow up lasted for 0.5 to 3 years(mean 2.5 years). Seizure free was noted in 19 patients(47.5%), seizure attack less than 3 times per year or no real attack in 11(27.5%), significant reduction of seizure attack in 6(15%); and no change in 4 (10%). The total effective rate was 90%.

Indicated by ECoG, combined resection with corpus callosotomy or multiple subpial transection is an effective method for FLE.