Gedela S, et al. - The effect of Vagus Nerve Stimulator (VNS) on Status Epilepticus (SE) was investigated in children with medically intractable epilepsy. Among these children, VNS was found to have a favorable impact on SE and generalized convulsive seizures.

Methods

• The researchers conducted this retrospective review in children with a history of at least 2 SE, who had VNS implantation and had at least 1 year follow up after the procedure.

Results

• Inclusion/exclusion criteria was met by 16 patients.
• In this study, 1.3 years and 9.0 years were the median age of seizure onset and surgery, respectively.
• When all seizure types were combined, 81% (13/16) of patients had ≥ 1 seizure per month, prior to VNS implantation.
• Seventy-five percent (12/16) of patients experienced ≥ 1 generalized convulsive seizure per month.
• Prior to VNS, the median number of SE was 3 (2-9), and 63% (10/16) had at least one SE during a year prior to implantation.
• The proportion of patients who did not have any SE 1 year after VNS implantation increased compared to the year prior (75% vs 37%, p=0.07).
• When all seizure types were combined (20% at 1 year, p=1.00, 44% at the last follow up, p=0.55), the seizure frequency decreased in a minority of patients, but generalized convulsive seizure decreased in 69% of patients at 1 year (p=0.01) and 75% of patients at last follow up (p=0.01).