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Vagus nerve stimulation in pediatric intractable
epilepsy: a Korean bicentric study.
Department of Pediatrics, Epilepsy
Center, Inje University College of Medicine, Sanggye Paik Hospital,
Korea.
OBJECTIVE: To present our experience
with vagus
nerve stimulation (VNS) and to evaluate the long-term efficacy and
safety of the procedure in pediatric intractable epilepsy. METHODS:
This study included sixteen patients, who were implanted with a vagus
nerve stimulator and could be followed up for at least more than 12
months in two epilepsy centers. Data including seizure frequency, EEG,
quality of life measures and adverse events were prospectively filed
over a 5-year period. RESULTS: VNS resulted in a > 50% reduction in
seizure frequency in 50.0% (8/16) of children with 31.3% (5/16) of
patients achieving a > 90% reduction. Additionally, enhancements in
quality of life were as follows: memory in 50.0% (8/16), mood in 62.5%
(10/16), behavior in 68.8% (11/16), alertness in 68.8% (11/16),
achievement in 37.5% (6/16), and verbal skills in 43.8% (7/16) of the
patients. Adverse events included hoarseness in two patients, dyspnea
during sleep in two patients, and sialorrhea in one patient. However,
these events were tolerable or could be controlled by the adjustment of
output currents. In one patient, wound revision was required.
CONCLUSION: Our data supports the role of VNS as an alternative therapy
for pediatric intractable epilepsy.
PMID: 17370772 [PubMed - in process]
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