Nerve stimulator generator#

The generator is usually left switched off for two weeks after surgery. Your doctor can prescribe something for this. You might have some pain for a while from the area of the implant after VNS surgery. Your surgeon will give you more information before the operation takes place. There is also a small risk of bleeding and infection.

Nerve stimulator skin#

A lead is inserted under the skin to connect the generator to the left vagus nerve in the neck.Īs with any operation, there is a slight risk of reaction to the anaesthetic. The generator is placed under the skin in your chest. The neurosurgeon makes 2 small cuts, 1 in a natural crease on the left of your neck, and 1 in the left-hand side of your chest, below your collarbone. The operation takes between 1 and 2 hours and you usually go home the same day, or the next day. Surgery to implant the VNS system is carried out by a neurosurgeon, usually under general anaesthetic. If you think VNS therapy might help you, you could talk to your epilepsy specialist. This is the NHS document describing all the guidance. You must also be unsuitable for epilepsy brain surgery, or you have had brain surgery but are still having seizures. To be eligible for VNS therapy you must still be having seizures despite trying a number of different epilepsy medicines, or your epilepsy medicine causes you too many side-effects. It is restricted for adults and children with epilepsy when other treatments have not worked or are not suitable. Only some people with epilepsy are able to have it.

The NHS have guidelines about who should or shouldn’t be offered VNS. So with newer models you may not need to use the magnet so much. This may help to stop a seizure happening or make it less severe. When the generator detects an increase in heart-rate, it automatically sends more impulses to the vagus nerve.

In some people with epilepsy an increase in heart-rate can be a sign that they are having a seizure. Newer models of the VNS generator can also detect increases in heart-rate. The magnet can also be used to stop the stimulation for a short time. A carer, or family member, can also use the magnet, if they see you having a seizure. Some people find that using the magnet stops a seizure happening, shortens the seizure or makes the seizure less severe. This could be if you have an aura (warning) before a seizure, if you feel a seizure starting, or when you are having a seizure. You can also sweep the hand-held magnet over the generator to send more impulses to the vagus nerve. This regular stimulation can help to reduce the number of seizures you have and make them less severe. These impulses are then carried by the vagus nerve to the brain. The generator is programmed to send electrical impulses to the vagus nerve at regular intervals, all day, every day. In VNS therapy, a generator is connected to the vagus nerve by a lead. The vagus nerve sends messages between the brain and other parts of the body.

A small pacemaker-like device, called a generator.

VNS therapy uses the VNS system, which is made up of 3 parts: The aim is to reduce the number of seizures you have and make them less severe. The device sends electrical impulses to your brain through a nerve in your neck called the vagus nerve. VNS therapy involves a small electrical device, like a pacemaker, which is implanted under the skin of your chest. What do I need to be careful about if I have VNS? What is VNS therapy for epilepsy? What are the benefits and side-effects of VNS?