[Psychiatric assessment].

Psychiatric disorders and behavioral disturbances may complicate the postsurgical outcome in patients and de novo psychiatric symptoms have been reported. In numerous, but not all epilepsy surgical centers, a psychiatric assessment is included as part of the presurgical evaluation of potential candidates for surgery. Affective disorders and psychosis are the most frequently reported postsurgical psychiatric disorders. There are no absolute psychiatric contraindications to surgery. Specific preexisting psychiatric conditions may need cautious consideration because there may be a risk of postsurgical psychiatric complications. Routine pre- and postsurgical psychiatric evaluations in patients undergoing epilepsy surgery are urgently needed. Clinicians involved in the care of surgical candidates should be aware of the possible psychiatric complications following surgery.