Perioperative Fluctuations of Lamotrigine Serum Levels: One Risk Factor for Early Postoperative Seizures after Epilepsy Surgery?

Purpose: Insufficient serum levels of antiepileptic drugs are an important risk factor for postoperative seizures. Several possible influencing factors might contribute to a postoperative decrease of serum levels such as anesthetics and postoperative co-medication including steroids, analgetics and drugs for ulcer prophylaxis. Methods: We studied medical records and anesthesia protocols of 20 patients on lamotrigine during epilepsy surgery and evaluated perioperative fluctuations of lamotrigine serum levels. All patients had standardized so-called TIVA (total intravenous anesthesia) without barbiturates, only th…