Samantha Baker, a 29-year-old patient, underwent the Vagus Nerve Stimulation surgery as a day case at the Day Surgery Centre (DSC) at Castle Hill Hospital. This marks the first time the procedure has been performed at the DSC and potentially the first whole system implantation in the country within a dedicated day surgery facility. The surgery was overseen by neurosurgeon Mr Adam Razak and his team.
VNS Therapy is designed to help manage epilepsy in adults and children whose seizures are not effectively controlled by medication or are unsuitable for resective brain surgery. The implanted device, situated beneath the skin in the chest, is connected by a thin wire to the left vagus nerve in the neck. It delivers mild electrical pulses to the brain, aiming to prevent seizures, reduce their frequency and severity, or stop them once they have started.
Samantha Baker first experienced myoclonic jerks, a type of epileptic seizure, at the age of three. While her condition was managed until she was 11, the seizures returned with greater severity around the age of 14 or 15. She expressed optimism about the operation, stating, “The operation went really well. I was in and out the same day, which was great because I was able to sleep in my own bed that night. I am hoping this procedure will help reduce the number of seizures I have and their severity. My biggest hope would be to be able to drive in the future.”
Mr Razak highlighted the treatment's potential impact, noting, “The stimulation travels up the nerve and can reduce seizure frequency. It does not work for every patient, but I have patients for whom VNS has resulted in huge improvements in their epilepsy. It acts as an adjunct alongside medication and some patients also tell us it has helped to lift their mood.”
The procedure was performed under general anaesthetic, and Samantha was discharged home the same day after a period of observation and recovery.
