[Vagus nerve stimulation in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy].
OBJECTIVE
To describe the mechanism and first results of vagus nerve stimulation at the Medisch Spectrum Twenty, the Netherlands, for the treatment of patients with drug-resistant epilepsy.


METHODS
Descriptive retrospective.


METHODS
Fifteen patients, 8 male and 7 female, aged 18-45 years with drug-resistant epilepsy, who were not eligible for surgical resection of an epileptic focus, received a vagus nerve stimulator implant in the period April 1999-December 2000. Whilst the vagus nerve stimulator was being adjusted, the medication remained unchanged.


RESULTS
Due to vagus nerve stimulation the mean seizure frequency decreased by 32% (range: +20% to -100%). In 6 patients there was a strong reduction in seizure frequency, in 3 there was a mild reduction, and in 6 patients there was no apparent effect. The most common adverse events during stimulation were a mild prickly cough and a change of voice during stimulation. In one patient a temporary left vocal cord paralysis was observed, which may possibly have been a result of the procedure.


CONCLUSIONS
Vagus nerve stimulation is an effective means of treatment for drug-resistant epilepsy and is therefore a treatment option that deserves more attention in the Netherlands.
Wagener-Schimmel
L J
LJ
Afd. Neurologie, Medisch Spectrum Twente, Postbus 50.000, 7500 KA Enschede.
Hageman
G
G
van der Aa
H E
HE
Janssen
A M
AM
Buschman
H P
HP
D000328:Adult; D003371:Cough / Q000209:etiology; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004351:Drug Resistance; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006685:Hoarseness / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014630:Vagus Nerve