Fewer Vagal Nerve Stimulation Operations In Scotland Than England And Wales

Main Category: Epilepsy
Also Included In: Conferences
Article Date: 13 Feb 2009 - 4:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   view / write opinions   rate article

Compared with the rest of the UK, fewer people in Scotland are fitted with vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) devices to treat their epilepsy. To discover the reasons, Epilepsy Scotland has invited two clinicians, Dundee-based Richard Roberts and Richard Selway from London, to explore VNS from both sides of the border. This free debate for health professionals is Friday 13 February in Glasgow's Teachers Building from 6.30-8.30pm.

Between seven and 20 VNS operations are performed a year in Scotland compared with 240-300 in England and Wales. The device, fitted to the neck and chest cavity, can help reduce the number and severity of seizures in people with uncontrolled epilepsy.

Epilepsy Scotland's Chief Executive Lesslie Young remarked: "We don't know what is causing lower numbers of VNS operations north of the border. We will find out on Friday night what factors are involved so we can take the issue forward. It's important that people with epilepsy have access to a range of treatment that best suits their condition."

Notes

1. Epilepsy Scotland works with people affected by epilepsy to ensure that their voice is heard. We campaign for improved healthcare, better information provision and an end to stigma. This common serious neurological condition affects one in130 people. We represent nearly 40,000 people with epilepsy in Scotland, their families and carers. Our freephone Helpline (0808 800 2200) offers advice, support and information - which is also available from our website: http://www.epilepsyscotland.org.uk

2. VNS implants mean having tiny electrodes fitted inside the chest cavity which connects to the vagal/vagus nerve in the neck. The device sends out a steady electrical impulse from this nerve to the brain. This impulse can be increased using a magnet to try and prevent a seizure from starting or to reduce its severity.

3. According to figures from Cyberonics who manufacture VNS devices, 16 were fitted in Scotland between May 2007 and April 2008. For the same period 371 were fitted in England and Wales. NHS Scotland's Information and Statistics division recorded 12 VNS operations in Scotland in 2006/7. Occasionally VNS implants are used for operations other than epilepsy.

4. Epilepsy specialist nurses from Glasgow and Edinburgh conducted a small study of 24 children and young people who received VNS implants since 1999. Findings showed 10 (42%) had no change in seizure frequency, 5 (20%) had less than a 50 per cent reduction in seizures, 5 (20%) had a better than 50 per cent reduction in seizure frequency. In three (18%) cases seizures stopped completely for a time and only one remains seizure free. VNS was well tolerated with few side effects.

Epilepsy Scotland