Complications of vagal nerve stimulation for epilepsy in children.
Vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) is a surgical option to treat drug-resistant epilepsy. A few side effects have been described, mainly as anecdotal reports. We analysed our material concerning a juvenile population to identify the most common and most important complications, discussing them with the literature. Thirty-six patients were studied (18 months-18 years old). The children were assessed before the VNS implant and 3, 6, 12, 24 and 36 months after surgery. The mean follow-up was 30 months. Four patients required a second surgery: two for changing the device 3 years after implant; one for revision of an imperfect implant; one for removing a non-functioning device. In one patient a transient vocal cord paralysis was observed. Hoarseness was the main complaint (38.8%). More infrequent was mild sleep apnoea (8.3%), sternocleidomastoid muscle spasm, drooling and snoring in one patient each. Skin scars were reported with a different frequency according to the surgical technique. At variance with the literature reports, we did not observe infections. Side effects of VNS can be minimised, but not avoided completely, with a correct technical procedure, which in turn depends upon a thorough knowledge of vagus nerve anatomy.
Rychlicki
F
F
Neurosurgical Department, Ospedali Riuniti Umberto I-GM Lancisi-G. Salesi, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy.
Zamponi
N
N
Cesaroni
E
E
Corpaci
L
L
Trignani
R
R
Ducati
A
A
Scerrati
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014630:Vagus Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology*