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Vagus Nerve Stimulation As an Adjunctive Neurostimulation Tool in Treatment-resistant Depression
Published on: January 7, 2019
Right-sided vagus nerve stimulation: Worldwide collection and perspectives
Marc Zanello1,2,3, Berthold Voges4, Ramesh Chelvarajah5,6
1Department of Neurosurgery, GHU Paris - Sainte-Anne Hospital, Paris, France.
Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology
|February 4, 2025
Summary
Right-sided vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) for drug-resistant epilepsy is effective, with over half of patients responding. While comparable to left-sided VNS, right-sided VNS may have lower tolerability.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neurosurgery
- Epilepsy Treatment
Background:
- Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a standard therapy for drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE).
- Implantation is typically on the left vagus nerve.
- Data on right-sided VNS is scarce, with only seven published cases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the safety and effectiveness of right-sided VNS in DRE.
- To augment the limited literature on this alternative VNS approach.
Main Methods:
- An anonymous 38-item questionnaire was distributed to expert surgeons.
- The survey collected data on patient demographics, reasons for right-sided implantation, and outcomes.
- Thirty-eight cases of right-sided VNS were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Right-sided VNS was performed due to lead issues, anatomical constraints, infection, or shunts.
- 55% of patients were responders, with a mean seizure frequency reduction of 56.2%.
- Effectiveness was comparable to left-sided VNS, though tolerability might be lower, with three patients discontinuing treatment.
Conclusions:
- This multicenter case series expands the understanding of right-sided VNS.
- Right-sided VNS demonstrates comparable effectiveness to left-sided VNS.
- Further research is needed to fully assess the safety and efficacy of right-sided VNS.
