In this video, you will watch the history of our patient who came from Melbourne - Australia to İstanbul. This patient diagnosed with drug resistant epilepsy and 4 years ago she underwent resective brain surgery to stop seizures in Australia. Unfourtunately, resective surgery was not be effective for the patient. So, we have performed VNS surgery with smart battery in Istanbul and now you can listen the feedback of the patient regarding the VNS surgery experince.
VAGUS NERVE STIMULATION (VNS)
This treatment method, known as epilepsy pacemaker, was first used in 1988 and has become a widely used treatment method all over the world, since it has shown effective results in drug-resistant epilepsy patients in the following years.
In this treatment, a spiral-shaped cable is placed around vagal nerve in the neck region, and the other end of the cable is integrated into a battery placed in the chest.
The vagal nerve is the longest nerve that runs between the brain and the trunk.
The vagal nerve is a very important structure that regulates our heartbeats, breathing patterns and bowel movements.
In addition, stimulation of this nerve with very low current electrical energy; It regulates the uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain that causes epileptic seizures and ensures that seizures are controlled in epilepsy patients.
Frequently Asked Questions About VNS
Who is candidate for VNS?
Despite using epilepsy drugs for a sufficient period of time (at least 2 years) and in an appropriate variety (at least 2 different drugs); It is a surgical treatment used in patients whose seizures cannot be controlled and which we define as drug-resistant epilepsy. This surgery is not performed in patients newly diagnosed with epilepsy and in patients who have had epilepsy for a long time and whose seizures are under control with drugs, unless undesirable side effects due to drugs have developed. In addition, if the cause of epilepsy is a lesion in the brain or a space-occupying cause in the brain, craniotomy should be performed for this problem first.
Is VNS surgery a risky surgery?
VNS surgery is an operation with a very low risk. The most common post-operative problems are temporary hoarseness, voice problems and stiffness in the throat. However, these complaints usually regress within weeks.
How is VNS surgery performed?
The operation is performed under general anesthesia from two different areas in the chest region and neck region. An incision of approximately 5 centimeters in length is made in the neck region, and the vagal nerve is reached from here, and a cable is attached to the nerve. Then, a second incision is made in the chest area and a pocket is created where the battery will be placed. The end of the cable, which is attached to the nerve in the neck region, is delivered to the pocket in this chest region and system connections are made. Then, both incision areas are closed and the surgery is finished by suturing the aesthetic sutures. It is an operation that takes an average of 1 hour.
What is the mechanism of action of the VNS, how does it control seizures?
Studies have shown that seizures can be controlled by different factors. It has been revealed that very low current electrical energy sent to the brain via the vagal nerve suppresses seizures by regulating impaired EEG signals. In some studies, it has been shown that the rate changes in the chemicals that enable the communication of millions of nerve (neuron) cells in our brain among themselves suppress the seizure. However, there is still no clearly proven and globally accepted mechanism of action.
How long does it take for patients to return to their daily lives after surgery?
4 hours after the operation, the patients are walked and they start feeding. On the 1st day of the surgery, they can be discharged and return to their normal lives.
What should be considered after the surgery?
Patients discharged on the 1st day of the operation can continue their normal lives.
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