It has also been used with some success forgeneralized epilepsy, characterized by seizures that involve the whole brain.
However, not everyone who has refractory epilepsy is a good candidate for a VNS gadget placement.
VNS is not considered safe for people who have heart disease orarrhythmias(heart rhythm abnormalities).
Verywell / JR Bee
The procedure is usually performed in an operating room or surgical suite.
It requires general anesthesia and mechanical ventilation of your lungs.
An EEG is also necessary to determine whether your seizures are focal or generalized, epileptic or non-epileptic.
Verywell / Cindy Chung
A lead wire, which is attached to the stimulator, is threaded up to the left vagus nerve.
Recovery
After a vagus nerve implant, you could expect a fast recovery.
It should only take a few days for the wound to heal.
Get our printable guide for your next healthcare provider’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
Programming and Adjustment
The generator is programmed by a computer to continuously deliver intermittent on/off electrical impulses.
You may have your unit programmed right after it’s implanted or it may be programmed later.
Either way, the gear usually isn’t turned on until a week after the procedure.
This is done with a handheld magnet that is provided to you.
Maintenance
Your equipment will need battery replacement about every seven to 15 years.
Sometimes, batteries may wear out faster and need to be replaced sooner.
Outcomes
Overall, a VNS implant can improve quality of life.
Studies show that it can decrease seizure frequency, seizure severity, and improve recovery time.
VNS also decreases the risk ofsudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP).
VNS therapy is generally used in addition to anti-seizure medications, not instead of them.
However, if VNS therapy works, it is possible to reduce the dosing of epilepsy medications.
VNS has been approved for treating depression and headaches.
The side effects and contraindications may not be exactly the same when VNS is used for depression and headaches.
For use in depression, the VNS gear is contraindicated in people who have suicidal ideation.
Over the past 30 years, the procedureand management of complications and side effectshas improved.
Get our printable guide for your next healthcare provider’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
2017 Jan;66:4-9. doi:10.1016/j.yebeh.2016.10.005.
2016 Sep;79(3):345-53. doi:10.1227/NEU.0000000000001165.
Wheless JW, Gienapp AJ, Ryvlin P.Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) therapy update.Epilepsy Behav.
2018 Jul 12. pii: S1525-5050(18)30487-6. doi:10.1016/j.yebeh.2018.06.032.
