Vagal-nerve pacemaker implanted for first time into ten-month old epilepsy patient

• Published date: 22 April 2024
• Author: JUDY SIEGEL-ITZKOVICH
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

The operation is a significant achievement in pediatric neurosurgery because it is usually performed only on patients over 20 kilos or more. The device is designed to help those with drug-resistant epilepsy, where traditional treatments fail to control seizures

Pediatric neurosurgery department head Dr. Sergey Abeshaus said that the best solution was the implantation of an advanced vagal pacemaker of the Sentiva model. He stressed the life-changing benefits of this treatment, which involves electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve to help reduce the frequency, intensity, and duration of seizures by suppressing abnormal electrical activity in the brain.

New lease of life for 10-month old

The pacemaker consists of a battery that is implanted under the left clavicle (collarbone) or in the armpit, as well as an electrode that is implanted on the left vagus nerve. The device sends a nerve impulse, stimulating the nerve and helping to suppress the abnormal electrical activity, thus reducing the frequency of seizures, as well as their length and intensity.

The infant, a resident of a village in the Galilee...