Vagal Nerve Stimulation of 24 Iraqi Patients with Refractory Epilepsy

A Salam Al Atraqchi, Ahmed

	Vagal Nerve Stimulation of 24 Iraqi Patients with Refractory Epilepsy
IRAQI JOURNALOF COMMUNITY MEDICINE
Article 1, Volume 24, Issue 3, 2011, Pages 248-252
Author
Ahmed A Salam Al Atraqchi
Abstract
Background: refractory epilepsy is a major problem for neurologists and epileptic patients; vagal nerve stimulation is one of the palliative surgical therapies. Objective: to assess the effect of vagal nerve stimulation therapy on refractory epilepsy. Patients and method: this study was conducted in the Neurosciences hospital for the period from February 2008 to January 2009.Twenty four patients with refractory epilepsy, eleven males, thirteen females were enrolled in this study, their age ranges from 14 years to 40 years with a mean age of 23 year, while two patients were below 12 years, seven with mixed type epilepsy (generalized tonic clonic, myoclonic and a tonic), six with generalized tonic clonic, six with focal and secondary generalized epilepsy, four with complex partial epilepsy, and one with Lennox Gastuat. Results: Three of the patients developed no more attacks, twelve patients get benefit by a decrease of 50 %-90% in frequency of epilepsy, eight patients with the same frequency and one excluded because the patient got use to scratch the site and the device was removed. Conclusion: VNS is a good surgical option in the absence of surgical resection, and easy to be done with a good team of neurologist and neurosurgeon. Key wards: refractory epilepsy, vagal nerve stimulation.
Keywords
refractory epilepsy; vagal nerve stimulation

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