Endotracheal Tube Electrode Neuromonitoring for Placement of Vagal Nerve Stimulation for Epilepsy: Intraoperative Stimulation Thresholds

Abstract

ABSTRACT Vagal nerve stimulators (VNS) are indicated as a palliative treatment for medically refractory epilepsy. The vagus nerve may have a variable position within the carotid sheath and may be confused with a prominent ansa cervicalis. The objective of this study was to describe an intraoperative neuromonitoring technique for VNS placement and provide stimulation thresholds that may aid in the creation of stimulation protocols. A retrospective study was performed assessing 40 patients undergoing intraoperative vocal cord monitoring during vagal nerve stimulator placement surgery. Endotracheal electrodes were utilized to record vocal cord activity at various surgical time points. The stimulation thresholds were tested at the time of opening of the carotid sheath (mean 0.35 mA [range 0.08–1.00]), after full and circumferential dissection of the vagus nerve (0.34 mA [0.10–0.90]), after tenting of the vagus nerve in preparation for placement of the electrode (0.22 mA [0.06–1.20]), and after electrode placement (0.26 mA [0.05–1.20]). The vagus nerve was identified in all patients; it was located behind the common carotid artery (CCA) in two patients, on top of the internal jugular vein (IJV) in one patient, and in the typical location between the CCA and IJV in the remainder of patients. The average size of the vagus nerve was 2.9 mm [1.5–5.0]. Intraoperative vagus nerve stimulation represents a safe adjunctive tool that can help localize the nerve, particularly in the setting of varying anatomy or hazardous dissections. It may help reduce the potential for vagal trunk damage or electrode misplacement and potentially improve clinical outcomes.