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By Mayo Clinic staffIt's important to carefully consider the pros and cons of vagus nerve stimulation before deciding to have the procedure.
Make sure you know what all of your other treatment choices are and that you and your doctor both feel that vagus nerve stimulation is the best option for you. Ask your doctor exactly what you should expect during surgery and after the pulse generator is in place.
Before surgery, your doctor will do a physical examination. You may need blood tests or other tests to make sure you don't have any health concerns that might be a problem. Your doctor will have you start taking antibiotics before surgery to prevent infection. You may need to stop taking certain medications ahead of time, and your doctor may ask you not to eat the night before the procedure. When you set up your surgery appointment, make sure you're clear on exactly what steps you need to take.
- Beekwilder JP, et al. Overview of the clinical applications of vagus nerve stimulation. Journal of Clinical Neurophysiology. 2010;27:130.
- Krahl SE. Vagus nerve stimulation for epilepsy: A review of the peripheral mechanisms. Surgical Neurology International. 2012;3(Suppl 1):S47.
- Chengyuan Wu, et al. Neurostimulation for the treatment of epilepsy: A review of current surgical interventions. Neuromodulation. In press. Accessed
- VNS therapy system — P970003s050. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/DeviceApprovalsandClearances/Recently-ApprovedDevices/ucm078532.htm. Accessed Oct. 23, 2012.
- Vagus nerve stimulation. American Association of Neurosurgeons. http://www.aans.org/Patient%20Information/Conditions%20and%20Treatments/Vagus%20Nerve%20Stimulation.aspx. Accessed Oct. 23, 2012.
- Martin JLR, et al. Systematic review and meta-analysis of vagus nerve stimulation in the treatment of depression: Variable results based on study designs. European Psychiatry 2012;27:147.
- Britton JW (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Oct. 24, 2012.
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