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Risks
By Mayo Clinic staffFor most people, vagus nerve stimulation is safe. But it does have some risks, both from the surgery to implant the device and from the brain stimulation.
Surgery risks
Surgical complications with vagus nerve stimulation are rare and are similar to the dangers of having other types of surgery. They include:
- Pain where the cut (incision) is made to implant the device
- Infection
- Damage to the vagus nerve
- Breathing problems
- Nausea
- Heart problems
- Incision scarring
- Vocal cord paralysis, which is usually temporary — in some people it has been caused by fiddling with the transmitter under the skin after implantation
Side effects after surgery
Some of the side effects and health problems associated with vagus nerve stimulation can include:
- Voice changes (this occurs in over half the people who have the procedure)
- Hoarseness
- Throat pain
- Cough
- Tingling
- Neck pain
- Chest pain or spasms
- Breathing problems, especially during exercise
- Difficulty swallowing
- Tingling or prickling of the skin
For most people, side effects are tolerable. They may improve over time, but some side effects may be bothersome for as long as you use vagus nerve stimulation. Adjusting the electrical impulses can help minimize these effects. If side effects are intolerable, the device can be shut off temporarily or permanently.
Other complications
In some cases, complications of vagus nerve stimulation can include:
- Pulse generator malfunction or movement, which may require additional surgery
- Worsening of depression
- Suicidal thoughts or behavior
- Dougherty DD, et al. Vagus nerve stimulation. In: Stern TA, et al. Massachusetts General Hospital Comprehensive Clinical Psychiatry. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/205162974-3/0/1657/451.html?tocnode=57543416&fromURL=451.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-04743-2..50048-2--cesec4_1191. Accessed June 10, 2010.
- George MS, et al. Nompharmacological somatic treatments. In: Hales RE, et al. The American Psychiatric Publishing Textbook of Psychiatry. 5th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Publishing; 2008. http://www.psychiatryonline.com/content.aspx?aID=332262. Accessed June 14, 2010.
- VNS Therapy system — P970003s050. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/DeviceApprovalsandClearances/Recently-ApprovedDevices/ucm078532.htm. Accessed June 14, 2010.
- Grimm S, et al. Efficacy of vagus nerve stimulation in the treatment of depression. Expert Reviews of Neurotherapeutics. 2010;10:87.
- Implantation procedure. Cybertronics. http://dynamic.cyberonics.com/manuals/doc_download.asp?docid={D6761ECC-D653-4175-84CB-E8C4AF92645D}. Accessed June 14, 2010.
- Schachter SS, et al. Vagus nerve stimulation therapy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 10, 2010.
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