Patient satisfaction with temporal lobectomy/selective amygdalohippocampectomy for temporal lobe epilepsy and its relationship with Engel classification and the side of lobectomy.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate not only the effectiveness of epilepsy surgery in improving seizure control but also patient satisfaction with the result of the procedure in a sample of patients operated on at a specialized epilepsy unit. METHODS: Patients with temporal lobe epilepsy who had undergone epilepsy surgery (temporal lobectomy/amygdalohippocampectomy) were interviewed in a standardized telephone survey about their satisfaction with the results of the surgery. The morbidity of the surgery was also analyzed retrospectively. The initial study population consisted of 6 amygdalohippocampectomy and 102 temporal lobectomy patients and was reduced to a final sample consisting of 4 amygdalohippocampectomy and 67 lobectomy patients, as the other patients were not available for interview. Surgical results were based on the Engel classification, and satisfaction with the surgery was assessed by asking patients to rate their result and state whether they would make the same decision (to be operated on) again. RESULTS: A significant number of patients classified as Engel I or II, who considered the surgical outcome good or excellent, said they would have the surgery again (p<0.001). Left temporal lobectomy patients whose results fell in the Engel III/IV bracket were less satisfied (p=0.001) than right temporal lobectomy patients with the same Engel classifications (0.048). Left temporal lobectomy patients who were classified as Engel class III and IV were less likely to have the surgery again if they had the choice (p=0.016). DISCUSSION: Patient satisfaction with the results of epilepsy surgery may depend not only on achieving seizure control but also on the temporal lobe resected. Since worse results were associated with lower satisfaction rates only for left temporal resection patients, it is possible that the cognitive consequences of this procedure compound the worse surgical result, leading to decreased satisfaction.

Pulsed radiofrequency on dorsal root ganglia for chronic pain / Radiofrequência pulsada no gânglio da raiz dorsal para tratamento de dor crônica

Objective: Evaluate clinical outcome of dorsal root ganglia (DRG) pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) treatment in neuropathic pain of patients with radiculopathy regarding improvement of pain and degree of patients? satisfaction. Method: Forty-five procedures in cervical and lumbossacral spine. Data collected by phone call interviews (independent researcher). Evaluation done after one month and at minimum three months follow-up. Analyzed data included objective and subjective improvement, and degree of satisfaction. Results: Outcome much better in 31%, 36% better, 24% unchanged, 9% worse. At initial evaluation, relief was rated: 24% excellent, 16% good, 27% moderate, 33% poor. At late evaluation, 27% excellent, 18% good, 7% moderate, 49% poor. Degree of satisfaction was high (82% of patients reported they certainly or probably would repeat the procedure). Conclusion: PRF was effective and safe in selected patients. Most patients were satisfied and would repeat/recommend the procedure...

Objetivo: Avaliar a evolução clínica do tratamento com radiofrequência pulsada (RFP) de gânglio da raiz dorsal (GRD) na dor neuropática em pacientes com radiculopatia, considerando melhora da dor e grau de satisfação dos pacientes. Método: Quarenta e cinco procedimentos na coluna cervical e lombossacra. Os dados foram coletados por meio de entrevistas telefônicas (pesquisador independente). Avaliação inicial feita após um mês e final no mínimo de três meses de acompanhamento. Dados analisados incluíram melhora objetiva, subjetiva e o grau de satisfação. Resultados: Evolução ?muito melhor? em 31%, ?melhor? em 36%, ?inalterado? em 24%, ?pior? em 9%. Na avaliação inicial: 24% ?excelente?, 16% ?bom?, 27% ?moderada?, 33% ?pobre?. Na avaliação final, 27% ?excelente?, 18% ?bom?, 7% ?moderada?, 49% ?pobre?. O grau de satisfação foi elevado (82% dos pacientes relataram que certamente ou provavelmente repetiriam o procedimento). Conclusão: RFP foi eficaz e segura em pacientes selecionados. A maioria dos pacientes ficou satisfeita e repetiu/recomendou o procedimento...