I found this article looking for infomation concerning my 11 year old and the removal of his VNS and leed wires. I wanted to share this because I found it by mistake! I read a post from a few concerning "broken Leeds" and thought maybe you would be interested.
Here is what was written, copied from MEDSCAPE.



Revision and removal of stimulating electrodes following long-term therapy with the vagus nerve stimulator.

Surg Neurol 1999 Jun;51(6):659-64 (ISSN: 0090-3019)

Espinosa J; Aiello MT; Naritoku DK
Division of Neurosurgery, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield 62794-9637, USA.

BACKGROUND: A significant concern about vagus nerve stimulation therapy has been the disposition of the spiral stimulating electrodes once treatment is considered ineffective or is no longer desired. Because the electrodes are wrapped around the vagus nerve, there is the potential for nerve injury during their removal. METHODS: We attempted removal of the spiral stimulating electrodes from 10 patients who received long-term vagus nerve stimulation therapy for drug-resistant epilepsy. In some patients, replacement with electrodes was also performed for poorly functioning leads. RESULTS: The mean duration of electrode implantation was 3.7+/-2.2 years (range 1.1-7.3 years). In seven patients, the old electrodes were removed completely from the nerve. No adverse events occurred intraoperatively or postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that the spiral electrodes may be safely removed from the vagus nerve, even after the electrodes have been implanted for several years. The reversibility of lead implantation may enhance the attractiveness of vagus nerve stimulation therapy for patients with medically-intractable epilepsy.

Major Subject Heading(s) Minor Subject Heading(s)

Electric Stimulation Therapy [methods]
Epilepsy [surgery]
Vagus Nerve [injuries] [surgery]
Adolescent
Adult
Electrodes, Implanted
Middle Aged
Reoperation

Indexing Check Tags: Female; Human; Male; Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Language: English

MEDLINE Indexing Date: 199906

Publication Type: Owner: NLM

Publication Type: Journal Article

PreMedline Identifier: 0010369236

Journal Code: IM

Thank you DBillion: That was the first time I saw an article like that and I appreciate that info, will share it with my husband. I believe my position will stay the same,due to my past poor treatment by the Drs , I can never forget or forgive. But its always good to have this info.

thanks again
positive person