Experience with a Low Single Cervical Incision for Implantation of a Vagus Nerve Stimulator: Technique and Advantages

Abstract

Objective: This report describes the technique for implanting a vagus nerve stimulator via a single low anterior cervical incision and discusses the advantages of this technique over that of the more commonly used 2-incision technique.

Methods: The authors performed a retrospective review of all patients who underwent implantation of a vagus nerve stimulator by the senior author over a 10-year period.

Results: One hundred thirty-one patients underwent implantation of vagus nerve stimulators via the single-incision technique. There were no instances of vagus nerve injury, postoperative hematoma, or wound infection, and cosmesis was excellent.

Conclusion: The single-incision technique described here for implantation of vagus nerve stimulators is technically straightforward and safe, and has significant advantages over the 2-incision technique.

Keywords: Epilepsy surgery; Implantation vagus nerve stimulator; Single incision; Vagus nerve stimulator.