Vagal nerve stimulation in pediatrics: when and for whom?
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59156/revista.v0i0.686Keywords:
Neuromodulation, Refractory epilepsy, Seizures, Vagal nerve stimulationAbstract
Background: despite the effectiveness of pharmacological treatments for epilepsy, 30% of patients do not achieve adequate control of their seizures. Various ablative surgical options are available, such as single or multiple lobectomies, lesionectomies, functional hemispherotomies, callosotomies, and uni-, bi-, or trilobar disconnections. Vagus nerve stimulator (VNS) implantation is a surgical alternative for neuronal modulation to control seizures.
Objectives: evaluation of the main neuromodulation options in the surgical treatment of epilepsy in the pediatric population.
Method: we review the main recommendations for the surgical approach to this pathology and the foundations for the indication of VNS.
Results: our approach aligns with established global guidelines.
Conclusion: pediatrics epileptic patients who do not respond to medication should be extensively evaluated for seizure characteristics, blood levels of medication and imaging as they could benefit from the implantation of a VNS.
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References
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