Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 25, 2026
Vagus Nerve Stimulation As an Adjunctive Neurostimulation Tool in Treatment-resistant Depression
Published on: January 7, 2019
Vagus nerve stimulation in children with intractable epilepsy: indications, complications and outcome
S M R Kabir1, C Rajaraman, C Rittey
1Department of Neurosurgery, Sheffield Children's Hospital and Royal Hallamshire Hospital, 17 High Storrs Rise, Sheffield S11 7LA, UK. rezaulkabir@hotmail.com
Insights
Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) offers a safe and effective treatment for children with intractable epilepsy, with over half experiencing satisfactory seizure improvement. This epilepsy treatment shows promising results for pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Epilepsy Treatment
- Neurosurgery
Background:
- Intractable epilepsy in children poses significant management challenges.
- Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is an established neuromodulation therapy for epilepsy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the indications, complications, and outcomes of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) in pediatric patients with medically intractable epilepsy.
- To analyze factors influencing treatment success.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 69 children with VNS implantation for intractable epilepsy (June 1995 - August 2006).
- Outcome assessment using Engel's classification.
- Statistical analysis to identify predictors of outcome.
Main Results:
- A satisfactory outcome (Engel class I-III) was achieved in 55.08% of patients.
- No significant correlation found between seizure type and outcome (p=0.351).
- Age, duration of epilepsy, and follow-up length did not significantly impact VNS effectiveness. Common complications included infection and lead fracture.
Conclusions:
- Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a relatively safe and potentially effective therapeutic option for children suffering from medically intractable epilepsy.
- VNS provides a viable alternative when conventional antiepileptic drugs fail.
Purpose:
To analyze the indication, complications and outcome of vagus nerve stimulation in intractable childhood epilepsy.
Materials And Methods:
We retrospectively reviewed the data of 69 children who had insertion of vagal nerve stimulator (VNS) between June 1995 and August 2006 for medically intractable epilepsy. Outcome was based on the Engel's classification. Statistical analysis of the data was also done to see if any of the parameters significantly influenced the outcome.
Result:
Thirty-eight patients (55.08 %) had a satisfactory outcome (Engel class I, II or III), and in 31 patients (44.92 %), there was no worthwhile improvement of seizures (Engel class IV). There was no statistical significance between the type of seizure and outcome (Fisher's exact test, p = 0.351). Statistical analysis also showed that the following parameters did not significantly influence the outcome (p > 0.05): age at insertion of VNS, age of first fit, duration between first fit and insertion of VNS and the length of follow-up. Complications included infection, lead fracture, fluid collection around the stimulator, neck pain and difficulty swallowing.
Conclusion:
Vagus nerve stimulation is a relatively safe and potentially effective treatment for children with medically intractable epilepsy.
