Türk Nöroşirürji Dergisi
2021 , Vol 31 , Num 3
Vagal Nerve Stimulation: Indications and Results
1Neuroplex Beyin, Sinir, Ağrı ve Epilepsi Hastalıkları ve Cerrahisi Merkezi, Ankara, Türkiye
Epilepsy is a disease characterized by seizures, with a worldwide prevalence of approximately 0.5% to 1%. Approximately onethird
of patients with epilepsy are in the drug-resistant group. Patients with partial seizures constitute the majority of drug-resistant
epilepsies. Surgical resection or disconnection methods give very good results in well-selected patients. However, vagal nerve
stimulation is a good option in patients who are not candidates for resective surgery. This system consists of a signal generator
implanted under the clavicle and coiled electrodes placed around the left vagus nerve in the carotid sheath. In 1997, the vagal nerve
stimulation method was approved by the FDA for patients over 12 years of age with partial onset and refractory to treatment. With
the experience gained over the years and published results, it has been shown to be effective in children as well, and the age limit for
approval was reduced to 4 by the FDA in 2017. In addition, VNS is also used as an adjunctive treatment method for seizure control
in patients with generalized epilepsy. VNS, which is effective in patients with posttraumatic epilepsy and tuberous sclerosis, is one
of the methods that comes to mind in the prevention of drop attacks in Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.
Anahtar Kelimeler :
Epilepsy, Drug-resistant epilepsy, Vagal nerve stimulation