Outcome dopo stimolazione vagale in soggetti con crisi di caduta e ritardo mentale

We evaluated the seizure outcome in 39 children and adolescents VNS implanted for intractable epilepsy with drop attacks and mental retardation. Twenty five patients suffered from severe partial epilepsy, 14 were affected by Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.We have been used a novel classification for outcome wich includes assessment of both seizure frequency and severity (Class I-VII). At the follow up date 8 patients were in Class I-III (seizure free or > 50% seizure reduction) . Eight patients were in Class IV (seizure number unchanged after VNS but significant reduction in seizure severity and duration).VNS has little efficacy on drop attacks, therefore callosotomy would be a better surgical option for this kind of seizures.