A 17-year-old male patient has successfully overcome 15 years of drug-resistant epilepsy thanks to a groundbreaking vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) surgery - the first of its kind in Vietnam.
On the evening of October 11, Ho Chi Minh City University Medical Center announced the successful implementation of Vietnam's first VNS procedure to treat refractory epilepsy - a severe form of the disease that does not respond to medication.
The patient had suffered from epilepsy since early childhood, enduring 5-10 seizures daily despite undergoing both pharmacological and surgical treatments. These relentless seizures severely impacted his quality of life.
The recent surgery involved the implantation of a vagus nerve stimulator, a device that delivers electrical impulses to the vagus nerve to help regulate brain activity and reduce seizure frequency and severity. The minimally invasive procedure required only a small incision and resulted in little blood loss.
According to medical experts, VNS is a highly safe technique with a short recovery period and the potential to be extended to a broad range of patients suffering from various neurological disorders.
"Drug-resistant epilepsy remains one of the greatest challenges in modern medicine," said Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Minh Anh, Deputy Director of the University Medical Center. "While medication remains the foundation of treatment, a significant proportion of patients fail to respond and must turn to surgical options."
Dr. Truong Thanh Tinh, Head of Neurosurgery at the hospital, emphasized the procedure's importance as a major leap in Vietnam's neurological treatment landscape.
"The successful application of VNS technology not only marks a new chapter for epilepsy care in Vietnam but also demonstrates the surgical team's capacity to master advanced techniques," Dr. Tinh stated.
Despite its clinical potential, specialists acknowledged certain hurdles to widespread adoption, including high treatment costs, specialized equipment needs, and training requirements for surgical teams.
Looking ahead, Dr. Tinh predicted that the next 5-10 years will bring rapid advancements in epilepsy treatment, combining minimally invasive surgery with cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and next-generation neuro-devices - offering more comprehensive, patient-centered care.
Medical professionals warn that over 57% of epilepsy patients fail to adhere to treatment protocols, often due to forgetting doses. Epilepsy can profoundly affect cognitive function, emotional health, social life, and physical well-being. Stopping medication without guidance can trigger dangerous seizures or even fatal outcomes.