Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 1, 2026
Vagus Nerve Stimulation As an Adjunctive Neurostimulation Tool in Treatment-resistant Depression
Published on: January 7, 2019
[Vagus nerve stimulation: treatment of 158 pediatric patients with a long-term follow-up]
S Flesler1, G Reyes1, S Fortini1
1Hospital Nacional de Pediatria J. P. Garrahan, 1818 Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Aim:
To describe a series of patients with drug resistant epilepsy treated with vagus nerve stimulation in a national pediatric hospital, evaluating efficacy, safety and tolerability.
Patients And Methods:
A retrospective analysis of 158 pediatric patients with epilepsy resistant to pharmacological and non pharmacological treatment including surgery that were treated with vagus nerve stimulation between 2001-2015. Patients with progressive encephalopathies, and congenital heart disease were excluded.
Results:
158 patients (80 male) were included, with a mean age at implantation of 11.4 years and a mean age at evolution of epilepsy of 9.5 years. Time of follow-up: 1-15 years (median: 6.9 years). Patient's age at this time: 2-31 years (median: 14.1 years). Effectiveness: 66.5% of patients showed more or equal at 50% of seizure control at 24 months of implant. Just three patients showed severe side effects (1.8%). Minor side effects were seen in 26 patients (16.4%). Without side effects: 129 (81.8%).
Conclusion:
Vagus nerve stimulation is an effective, tolerable and safe therapy in our pediatric series with refractory epilepsy.
