Vagus nerve stimulation — Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has been approved for adjunctive treatment of medically intractable partial onset seizures in adults and children over 12 years of age. Approximately 30 to 40 percent of patients achieve a greater than 50 percent reduction in seizure frequency, a benefit that is sustained over time [92-95]. Serious adverse events are rare.
VNS is a valid treatment option for patients with well-documented IE, who are either opposed to intracranial surgery, or who are not candidates for intracranial surgery, or whose seizures were not substantially improved by prior intracranial epilepsy surgery [96-98]. Resective surgery for appropriate candidates is preferred over VNS because of the substantially greater potential for complete seizure remission.
VNS is discussed in detail separately. (See "Vagus nerve stimulation therapy for the treatment of epilepsy".)