LAUSR

We thank Dr. Sethi for reemphasizing our view that decision to withdraw antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) after temporal lobectomy needs to be individualized and requires multifactorial consideration.1 Even one recurrence in these patients, who otherwise consider themselves as cured, can be upsetting. However, it is also true that the majority of these patients want to discontinue their AED, and this, in fact, is one of the major aims of epilepsy surgery.2 This is even more true in developing countries due to the social stigma and financial burden associated with continued AED use. In this scenario, it is useful to identify factors that can predict successful AED withdrawal. The FND20 score delineated in our study can be a useful guide for identifying ideal candidates for AED withdrawal.1 However, this score is not absolute and many other factors also play a role in deciding successful AED withdrawal. The other important question that arises while planning AED withdrawal is the risk of subsequent uncontrolled epilepsy. In this regard, our study is reassuring that the majority of patients, who have seizure recurrence on AED withdrawal, subsequently become seizure-free and there is no concern of precipitating resistant epilepsy.