ENT Team Involvement Reduces Voice Changes After VNS Surgery

Source: Child's nervous system : ChNS : official journal of the International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery

Summary

This study looked at the outcomes of surgeries for vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) in children with drug-resistant epilepsy. Researchers compared two groups of patients: those who had their VNS device revised by a team that included both neurosurgeons and ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialists, and those who had the surgery done by neurosurgeons alone. The study reviewed medical records from a children's hospital over an 18-year period, focusing on patient outcomes and any complications that arose after surgery.

The key findings showed that having both neurosurgeons and ENT specialists involved in the surgery led to fewer problems with voice changes after the procedure. In the group that had the combined team, none of the patients reported voice issues, while about 12% of those who had surgery by neurosurgeons alone did experience voice changes. However, the combined team group had a higher rate of cough after surgery, but overall, swallowing difficulties were not reported in either group.

These results are important because they suggest that involving ENT specialists in VNS revision surgeries can help reduce certain complications, particularly voice problems, which can significantly affect communication. However, the study has limitations, such as being retrospective and conducted at a single hospital, which means more research is needed to confirm these findings in different settings and larger groups of patients.

Original source