VAGUS NERVE STIMULATION IMPLANTATION IN A PREGNANT PATIENT WITH DRUG-RESISTANT EPILEPSY: A CASE REPORT AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE
TL;DR
VNS therapy represents a safe and effective adjunctive treatment option for DRE during pregnancy when resective surgery is not feasible and resulted in complete seizure remission and transition to levetiracetam monotherapy.
Abstract
Abstract. Introduction. Drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) affects approximately 30% of patients and poses significant challenges during pregnancy due to seizure-related risks and antiepileptic drug teratogenicity.Objective. To report the first case in the Russian Federation of successful vagus nerve stimulator implantation patient with during in DRE.pregnancy a Materials and Methods. A clinical case of a 28-year-old woman with an 11-year history of DRE who underwent VNS implantation is presented.weeks gestation of at 18 Results. Gradual activation of the stimulator resulted in complete seizure remission and transition to levetiracetam monotherapy. Pregnancy and delivery were uneventful, resulting in the birth of a healthy child.Conclusion. VNS therapy represents a safe and effective adjunctive treatment option for DRE during pregnancy when resective surgery is not feasible.