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Neurológia pre prax 5/2013
Vagus nerve stimulation and its place in current clinical practice
Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) currently has a firm place in the treatment algorithm in patients with pharmacoresistant epilepsy. VNS is indicated in patients with pharmacoresistant focal as well as generalized epilepsy in whom resection epilepsy surgery is not indicated. Clinical experience shows that there is significant improvement in the quality of life in two-thirds of patients treated with VNS. Approximately 5 % of patients are completely seizure-free in the long term. Side effects of stimulation, resulting in termination of stimulation, and surgical complications occur in about 2 % of patients.
Keywords: vagus nerve stimulation, side effects, complications, focal epilepsy, generalized epilepsy.
