Vagal Nerve Stimulation: Indications, Implantation, and Outcomes.
Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2020 Feb;53(1):127-143
Authors: Ohemeng KK, Parham K
Abstract
Vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) therapy is a surgical treatment that involves the implantation of a device to electrically stimulate the vagus nerve. It is indicated as an adjunctive treatment of epilepsy that is refractory to antiepileptic medications and for treatment-resistant depression. The exact mechanism by which VNS achieves its effects is not known, but various mechanisms have been proposed, including afferent vagal projections to seizure-generating regions of the brain and desynchronization of hypersynchronized cortical activity. The most common complications of VNS therapy include hoarseness, throat pain/dysphagia, coughing, and shortness of breath.
PMID: 31685239 [PubMed – in process]
