Purpose: In this paper we present the data collected at 1, 5 and 10 years of follow- up in a sample of DRE paediatric patients treated with Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) at a single centre.

Method: Among the patients implanted during paediatric age we selected those having a follow-up => 10 years. For each patient we collected prospectively and reported retrospectively: aetiology, age at the implant, stimulation parameters (current), number of ASMs, McHugh scoring outcomes, occurrence of Status Epilepticus and negative outcomes.

Results: We collected 21 patients. Aetiology: Structural-genetic 9 patients, Structural 1, genetic 10 patients, metabolic 1 patient. Mean age at the implant: 10 years (1–18 years).The mean current values (mA) were: at the implant after ramping up 1,3 mA, at 1 years 1 mA, at 5 years 2 mA and at 10 years 1,75 mA. The mean number of ASMs was unchanged over time (from 1,8 at the implant to 1,9 at 10 years FU)
Clinical Outcomes (3 rating scores: SF seizures free, Responder > 50%, NR < 50% or unchanged in seizure frequency).
1 year FU: SF no patients, R 19, NR 1 and N/A 1 patients.
5 years FU: SF 2, R 13, NR 3 and N/A 3 patients.
10 years FU: SF 2, R 13, NR 1 and N/A 5 patients.
Status Epilepticus: 2 patients were implanted successfully during RSE and never relapsed; no patients suffered from SE after the implant.
Negative outcome: 1 patient died from complications due to the metabolic disease, 1 patient from probably SUDEP.

Conclusion: VNS showed good results since the 1 year FU which remained stable over time until 10 years FU.
2/21 patients became seizures free. No patients developed or relapsed SE after the implant. The mean number of ASMs remained unchanged. The mean current ranged from 1.3 to 1.75 mA.

Notes:

1 Villa Santa Maria Child Care Center, Epilepsy Unit, Tavernerio, Italy
2 IRCCS San Gerardo, Neurosurgery, Monza, Italy
3 University of Padua