Complete versus anterior two-thirds corpus callosotomy in children: analysis of outcome

Abstract

Object: The goal of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of anterior versus complete sectioning of the corpus callosum in children suffering from medically refractory epilepsy. The authors report seizure outcome in patients who underwent anterior two-thirds or complete corpus callosotomy (CC) during the period 1995-2008 at St. Louis Children's Hospital.

Methods: The medical records of 27 children and adolescents with a minimum follow-up of 6 months were retrospectively evaluated with respect to seizure status, anticonvulsant outcomes, and subjective results. Preoperatively, patients suffered from a variety of seizure types that occurred daily, weekly, or episodically. The male/female ratio was 19:8, and patients ranged in age between 3 and 19 years (mean 9.93 years). Seizure outcome, parental assessment of daily function, and changes in the number of prescribed antiepileptic drugs were all assessed.

Results: Fifteen patients underwent an initial anterior two-thirds CC, and 12 underwent a complete CC. Of the 15 patients who underwent an anterior CC, 7 went on to receive a posterior CC. Seizure control was superior in children undergoing a complete CC (91%, Class I-III) versus an anterior two-thirds CC (75%, Class I-III). Seizure types most affected by CC included atonic, myoclonic, and absence. The number of postoperative antiepileptic drugs did not significantly change following CC in either the anterior only or complete groups. One patient experienced a transient disconnection syndrome that resolved within 4 weeks, and 4 patients experienced mild hemiparesis and speech delays that resolved with therapy. Three patients experienced surgical complications requiring a second operation. The overall daily function and attentiveness of the patients improved.

Conclusions: A complete CC should be considered as the initial procedure in lower-functioning children afflicted by absence, atonic, or myoclonic seizures. Severely affected higher-functioning children may also benefit from a complete CC, without clinically significant disconnection syndromes. A completion posterior CC may benefit patients in whom a prior anterior CC has failed.