Promoting faster pathways to surgery: a clinical audit of patients with refractory epilepsy.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Individuals with epilepsy who cannot be adequately controlled with anti-epileptic drugs, refractory epilepsy, may be suitable for surgical treatment following detailed assessment. This is a complex process and there are concerns over delays in referring refractory epilepsy patients for surgery and subsequent treatment. The aim of this study was to explore the different patient pathways, referral and surgical timeframes, and surgical and medical treatment options for refractory epilepsy patients referred to two Tertiary Epilepsy Clinics in New South Wales, Australia.

Methods

Clinical records were reviewed for 50 patients attending the two clinics, in two large teaching hospitals (25 in Clinic 1; 25 in Clinic 2. A purpose-designed audit tool collected detailed aspec

SUBMITTER: Mumford V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6381714 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature