Epilepsy Treatment Options Vagus Nerve Stimulation Vagus nerve stimulation is effective in treatment of seizures
in some cases. The stimulator is a battery powered device similar
to a pacemaker and is implanted under the skin in the upper left
chest wall. From the stimulator a lead is tunneled under the skin
and attached to the left vagus nerve in the lower part of the
neck. The batteries last from three to five years and need replacement
after that.
Studies suggest that stimulation of the vagus nerve
may reduce seizures by upto 50% in about 50% of the patients who
undergo this procedure. The American Academy of Neurology now
recommends this procedure for patients over 12 years old who have
partial seizures that do not respond to medication and who are
not appropriate surgical candidates. Its effectiveness in generalized
seizures is unknown. It should be noted that vagal stimulation
does not eliminate seizures in most patients.
Some minor side effects due to vagal nerve stimulation
include shortness of breath, hoarseness, sore throat, coughing,
ear and throat pain, or nausea and vomiting. Reducing the intensity
of stimulation effectively treats these minor adverse effects.
No serious adverse side effects have been reported.
