Pre- and postoperative rehabilitation related to epilepsy surgery

A short review is presented of the mental impairment and personality deficits of persons with severe epilepsy and of their consequences, that require psychosocial and occupational rehabilitation, as well as of some aspects of health economics related to epilepsy surgery. It is concluded that detailed studies on the psychosocial outcome of epilepsy surgery are rather rare in the vast literature on epilepsy surgery, a situation that needs to be changed in order to promote better understanding of the therapeutic and palliative surgical treatment of epilepsy, to develop and broaden it, and to motivate more financial support from health authorities.