Vagal Nerve Stimulation

Epilepsy affects around 6 million people across Europe. Many patients with epilepsy can be controlled with single or multiple antiepileptic medication. However, in some patients, despite multiple drug treatment, the disease cannot be controlled successfully. In this case, surgical treatment methods are recommended for these patients. One of these methods is Vagal Nerve Stimulation (VNS) treatment. In this treatment, a small medical device, an epilepsy pacemaker, is used to send electrical impulses to the vagal nerve on the left side of the neck. This device, called an epilepsy pacemaker, is actually an energy source (pulse generator) that gives low-level electrical signals, just like a pacemaker. These electrical impulses are transmitted to the vagal nerve by means of cables wrapped around the vagal nerve during surgery. The vagal nerve is like a connection between the body and the brain. It allows sensory and motor information to be sent from the body to the brain and from the brain to the body. With VNS treatment, the electrical signals given to the nerve are then transmitted from the vagal nerve to the brain and prevent electrical irregularities that cause seizures. The epilepsy pacemaker is a very small device about 3x4 cm in size. It sends a signal every three to five minutes for a period of about 30 seconds. The output current is adjusted according to the patient's needs and individually for each patient. Once the epilepsy pacemaker is set, it works 24 hours a day, as programmed. The patient does not feel or experience any discomfort from this device. The implantation of the device is a simple surgical procedure requiring two small incisions (one in the neck and one in the left chest area). It is a short surgical procedure performed under general anesthesia and requires 1 or 2 days of hospitalization. Except for a small swelling in the chest area, the device is hardly noticeable from the outside. The battery life of the device is between five and ten years. Battery life varies depending on the current used and other electrical settings. Patients who are intermittently monitored by a doctor need to replace the existing battery when the battery life is over. This is a much simpler procedure and is performed using only an incision in the chest area. Once the battery has been implanted in the body, it is initially necessary to come to the hospital for an examination almost every two weeks. Once the initial adjustments have been completed and the medication levels have been adjusted, these visits return to every few months. Successful VNS Treatment usually reduces the seizure rate. Some patients reported a large reduction, some reported a small reduction, and some reported no change at all. Overall, patients participating in VNS therapy clinical trials have seen a significant reduction in seizure rates. Clinical trials have proven that VNS therapy is a safe form of treatment. More than 70,000 epilepsy patients worldwide are being treated with VNS Therapy. Patients can return to their normal lives very soon after surgery. They can also do many exercise-based sports such as swimming, running or cycling.