Vagal Nerve Stimulation

Surgical placement of a vagal nerve stimulator (a device not unlike a pacemaker) is a means of treating some patients who experience epileptic seizures and for whom other surgical therapies may not be appropriate. The stimulator is placed in the front of the left chest and connected to the vagal nerve on he left side of the neck. It is programmed to send mild electric impulses to the brain at certain times in order to stop a seizure from happening. The operation to place a vagal nerve stimulator is performed in the hospital over the course of several hours.