Vagus Nerve Stimulation in the Treatment of Refractory Epilepsy

Many patients with epilepsy suffer from persistent seizures despite maximal anti-epileptic drug therapy. Chronic, intermittent vagus nerve stimulation has been proven to be an effective option for many patients suffering from refractory seizures who are not candidates for surgical resection. Although only a small minority of patients will be entirely seizure-free, vagus nerve stimulation, as an adjunct to medical therapy, may result in significant improvements in quality of life. Vagus nerve stimulation is generally well-tolerated, as device implantation is associated with a low rate of perioperative complications, and the majority of side effects are stimulation-dependent and thus reversible.