title: [Vagal nerve stimulation treatment in patients with drug resistant epilepsy: Son Espases University Hospital experience].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To present our experience in treating drug-resistant epilepsy with vagal nerve stimulation in our centre, evaluating its impact on disease control and on different aspects related to the patients and main caretakers' quality of life.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a retrospective analysis of patients operated from January 2004 until December 2012. Interviews and tests completed by outpatients and principle caretakers were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifteen patients were included, with a mean postoperative follow-up of 4.41 (0.5-8) years. Mean age at implantation was 25 (10-50) years. Over 66% of the patients perceived a reduction greater than 25% of their crisis intensity. Forty-seven percent of the patients experienced a decrease greater than 50% in the number of crises. As undesired adverse events, one patient presented persistent dysphonia, another self-limited cough and cervical discomfort and another, persistent cervical discomfort. The device had to be removed in 2 patients due to refractory headaches. There were no complications derived from the surgical procedure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Vagal nerve stimulation is an effective treatment for reducing crisis frequency and intensity. The patients as well as their caretakers experience a subjective improvement in their quality of life. Despite its economic cost, it seems to reduce their care needs to a certain degree and its use may therefore be justified.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Neurocirugía, Hospital Universitario Son Espases, Palma de Mallorca, España.
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Roldán
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brell
authors.forename: Cristobal
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Perla Y Perla
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Moreno
authors.forename: Inés
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Barceló
authors.forename: Ana Belén
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Martínez
authors.forename: Izabela
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Chmielewska
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ibáñez
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004351:Drug Resistance; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055536:Vagus Nerve Stimulation; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Convulsión; Drug-resistant epilepsy; Epilepsia; Epilepsia resistente a los fármacos; Epilepsy; Estimulación vagal; Neuroestimulación; Neuromodulación; Neuromodulation; Neurostimulation; Seizures; Vagal nerve stimulation