After vagal stimulator implantation, follow-up continued from 2 months to 30 months, with the study period ending in October 1995. Five patients required fewer antiepileptic medications, and 1 patient had an increase in medication. Changing stimulation parameters to increase the rate of stimulation and reduce the interval between stimulations resulted in improved seizure control in 4 of 5 patients. Periodic VNS was well tolerated by these children and may have a role in the management of refractory epilepsy. The device can also be activated by a hand-held magnet.
Controlled studies are difficult, since the patient senses stimulation.
Ten patients had more than one seizure daily. Four patients had previously had neurosurgical intervention, including corpuscallosotomy in three and right frontal cortical resection in one. In all but 1 patient, the type of seizure was determined by videotelemetry. Fifteen patients had mental retardation, and 4 had learning disabilities. The global evaluation was requested at each visit.