About Vagus Nerve Stimulation
Key Highlights
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Offers a treatment option for medication-resistant conditions like epilepsy and depression.Provides continuous, automatic therapy without requiring daily patient intervention.Is a reversible and adjustable procedure; stimulation settings can be fine-tuned non-invasively.Can lead to a significant reduction in seizure frequency and severity over time.May improve mood, alertness, and overall quality of life for eligible patients.
Who is this surgery for?
- Drug-resistant epilepsy (focal seizures) in patients who are not candidates for resective brain surgery.
- Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) that has not responded to multiple antidepressant therapies.
- As an adjunctive therapy for certain other conditions being researched, such as anxiety disorders or chronic migraine (in specific contexts).
How to prepare
- Comprehensive neurological evaluation, including video EEG monitoring and neuroimaging (MRI/CT).
- Detailed discussion with the neurologist and neurosurgeon about benefits, risks, and expectations.
- Pre-operative blood tests, ECG, and chest X-ray to assess general fitness for surgery.
- Adjustment or tapering of current medications as advised by the neurologist.
- Fasting for 8-12 hours prior to the surgery as per hospital protocol.
Risks & possible complications
- Surgical risks: Infection, bleeding, pain at incision sites, or scarring.
- Voice changes, hoarseness, throat pain, or coughing during stimulation.
- Shortness of breath or difficulty swallowing, typically temporary.
- Device-related issues like lead breakage, generator malfunction, or battery depletion requiring replacement.
- Rare risks include nerve injury, cardiac rhythm changes, or worsening of seizures or depression.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Hospital stay of 1-2 days for monitoring after implantation surgery.
- Incision sites on chest and neck need to be kept clean and dry for about a week.
- Avoid strenuous activities and heavy lifting for 2-3 weeks to allow proper healing.
- The device is typically activated 2-4 weeks post-surgery during a follow-up visit with the neurologist.
- Regular follow-ups are essential to program and optimize stimulation settings for maximum benefit.
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Typical hospital stay: 1-2 days
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Expected recovery time: 2-3 weeks
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering vagus nerve stimulation in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for vagus nerve stimulation in India include KMC Hospital Mangalore, Manipal Hospital Gurgaon, Manipal Hospital Jayanagar, Manipal Hospital Kharadi, Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform vagus nerve stimulation. MediFyr helps you compare neurologists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for vagus nerve stimulation compare across other countries where we have data.
Top hospitals for Vagus Nerve Stimulation in India
These partner hospitals in India have dedicated neurology teams and experience managing patients undergoing vagus nerve stimulation.
Reyansh Roy, a 42-year-old software engineer...
Reyansh Roy, a 42-year-old software engineer and father of two, had his life upended by temporal lobe epilepsy. Diagnosed at 28, his seizures evolved from brief absence episodes to debilitating tonic-clonic seizures multiple times a week, despite trying over eight different anti-seizure medications. The side effects, brain fog, fatigue, and mood swings, made it impossible to maintain his demanding job or be fully present for his family. His neurologist, Dr. Sharma, recommended Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) as an adjunctive therapy, explaining it could reduce seizure frequency and severity when medications alone weren't enough. Reyansh felt a mix of hope and apprehension; the idea of an implanted device was daunting. The surgery was outpatient. The recovery involved some neck pain and hoarseness, but within three months, his seizure frequency dropped by 60%. The intensity lessened dramatically, often curtailed by using the device's magnet. Emotionally, he journeyed from a place of frustration and helplessness, fearing he was a burden to his family, to one of regained control and profound gratitude. He returned to part-time work and, most importantly, can now confidently coach his son's football team, something he once thought was lost forever.
Neurologists for Vagus Nerve Stimulation
Explore experienced neurologists who regularly perform vagus nerve stimulation and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 18 Years Experience
- Neurologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 46 Years Experience
- Neurologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 25 Years Experience
- Neurologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 13 Years Experience
- Neurologist
SIMS Hospital Vadapalani, Chennai
- 13 Years Experience
- Neurologist
SIMS Hospital Vadapalani, Chennai
- 19 Years Experience
- Neurologist
Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneshwar
- 26 Years Experience
- Neurologist
Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneshwar
- 8 Years Experience
- Neurologist
Kamineni Hospital, Tadigadapa, vijayawada
- 9 Years Experience
- Neurologist
Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneshwar
- 5 Years Experience
- Neurologist
Kamineni Hospital, Tadigadapa, vijayawada
- 3 Years Experience
- Neurologist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 32 Years Experience
- Neurologist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 11 Years Experience
- Neurologist
Manipal Hospital Gurgaon, Gurgaon
- 7 Years Experience
- Neurologist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 8 Years Experience
- Neurologist
Manipal Hospital Ghaziabad, Ghaziabad
- 32 Years Experience
- Neurologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 19 Years Experience
- Neurologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 15 Years Experience
- Neurologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 14 Years Experience
- Neurologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 13 Years Experience
- Neurologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida