Published online Dec 6, 2020. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v8.i23.5918
Peer-review started: June 29, 2020
First decision: August 8, 2020
Revised: August 29, 2020
Accepted: October 13, 2020
Article in press: October 13, 2020
Published online: December 6, 2020
Processing time: 157 Days and 22.9 Hours
Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disease characterized by excessive discharge of brain neurons caused by various etiologies. Implant vagus nerve stimulation (IVNS) is a pulse signal generated by the generator that increases the impulse of the vagus nerve on one side of the neck and inhibits the abnormality synchronized discharge of the brain neuron network and terminates or attenuates the seizure.
This study will provide a preliminary analysis of the safety and efficacy of IVNS in the treatment of refractory epilepsy in children.
IVNS is an adjunctive treatment for intractable epilepsy where patients are not suitable for resective surgery. This research was designed to identify the safety and efficacy of vagus nerve stimulation in child intractable epilepsy and analyze the effects on different epilepsy syndromes.
Eligible children with intractable epilepsy were admitted to the research. We collected data from preoperative assessments as the baseline. During the follow-up time, we recorded the process of seizures (frequency, duration, and seizure type), the changes of drugs or parameters, the complications, etc. We chose the mean reduction rate of seizures, response rate, and McHugh scale as the indictors.
IVNS is effective and safe for the treatment of refractory epilepsy in children. The curative effect has a cumulative effect. Children with epilepsy syndrome, such as infantile spasms, have a good response to IVNS treatment, which is safe.
Vagus nerve stimulation is safe and effective in child intractable epilepsy, and the seizure reduction occurs in a time-dependent manner. Moreover, patients with West syndrome may get the most benefits.
IVNS is effective and safe for the treatment of refractory epilepsy in children, and the curative effect has a cumulative effect. More extensive cases should be selected for case-control studies.