Clinical screening, stimulator programming, and long-term adjustments for patients with refractory epilepsy in Delhi.
Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) is an adjunctive neuromodulation therapy designed for patients with drug-resistant focal seizures who are not suitable candidates for traditional resective brain surgery. It involves implanting a small pulse generator, similar to a pacemaker, under the skin of the left chest. A lead wire from the generator is wrapped around the left vagus nerve in the neck. The device is programmed to deliver regular, mild electrical pulses that travel up the vagus nerve to the brain to help prevent or interrupt seizure activity.
VNS helps manage seizures in two key ways:
VNS requires careful adjustment and follow-up care to achieve the best results:
We perform comprehensive video-EEG monitoring and brain scans to evaluate patients who continue to experience seizures despite trials of multiple anti-seizure medications, assessing suitability for VNS therapy.
Following implantation by a neurosurgeon, we initialize and program the VNS device in our clinic. We start with low stimulation settings and gradually adjust them (current output, pulse width, frequency) over regular follow-up visits to find the setting that best reduces seizures while minimizing side effects (such as hoarseness or a tickle in the throat).
We check the battery status of the generator during routine clinic visits. VNS batteries typically last between 3 to 10 years depending on the settings, and we coordinate simple outpatient generator replacement procedures when needed.
Consult with Dr. Rajneesh Kummar at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Dwarka, to evaluate if VNS therapy is suitable for your seizure care.