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Chronic Stimulation of the Left Vagal Nerve in Children: Effect on Swallowing
Author(s) -
Schallert Gloria,
Foster Jeffrey,
Lindquist Nancy,
Murphy Jerome V.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
epilepsia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.687
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1528-1167
pISSN - 0013-9580
DOI - 10.1111/j.1528-1157.1998.tb01298.x
Subject(s) - swallowing , medicine , stimulation , anesthesia , vagus nerve stimulation , vagus nerve , epilepsy , dysphagia , surgery , psychiatry
Summary:Purpose: To learn whether stimulation of the left vagal nerve would influence swallowing. Methods: Eight children receiving intermittent left vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) for their pharmacoresistant epilepsy underwent barium swallow studies with their generators off, on, and at maximally tolerated settings. Results: Laryngeal penetration of barium was present in three patients without stimulation, and was caused by VNS in one other patient. Aspiration never occurred. Conclusions: Stimulation of the left vagal nerve under conditions used to treat epilepsy does not cause aspiration.