First time in Baltics - VNS implantation for epilepsy patients

Children’s Clinical University Hospital neurosurgeons team carried out first two operations – VNS implantation or implantation of vagus nerve stimulator – for 5 and 19 years old patients, who first in Baltics with a help from Childrens hospital fund had a possibility to get medical help that would allow them to live a healthy life.

Vagus nerve – special nerve, which controls the most of the internal organs. During the VNS implantation procedure, an electrical impulse generator is placed under the skin, attached to the vagus nerve, that maintains periodic electrical stimulation of brain through reciprocal fibers.

“The treatment reduces the amount, duration and severity of seizures in patients with severe epilepsy when medication is ineffective. There i san evidence that VNS therapy also reduces the symptoms of depression,” says dr. Jurgis Strautmanis, a pediatric neurologist.

Epilepsy is a disorder of the brain caused by excessive electrical discharge and causing seizures, unconsciousness or other symptoms. Epilepsy occurs in about 1% of people. Approximately 30% of patients seizures persist also with antiepileptic drug therapy.

The surgery was attended by Childrens Hospital neurosurgeons MD D. Ozoliņš and MD B.Y.Wehbe, as well as MD M.Mohapl from the Czech Republic, Prague.