Practical considerations: vagus nerve stimulation therapy questions that may be encountered from patients, their caregivers, and physician colleagues

Implantation of the generator in the chest

wall (similar to a cardiac pacemaker) and

subcutaneous placement of the cervical leads

are accomplished in one surgical session usually

lasting no more than 1 hour. Although local

anesthesia may be feasible in principle, most

patients receive general anesthesia to control for

possible seizure activity that might occur

during the procedure. The implantation is

usually performed by neurosurgeons, vascular

surgeons, or ear, nose and throat specialists

familiar with the anatomy of the vagus nerve

adjacent to the carotid artery in the neck.