The first vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) device implantation surgery in Vietnam for a patient with drug-resistant epilepsy.
The patient was a 17-year-old male who had developed epilepsy since childhood. Despite medical treatment and surgery, he still experienced seizures 5–10 times per day. At the conference, the surgery was demonstrated live with a small incision and minimal blood loss, allowing delegates to observe the entire process, from preparation and anesthesia to the setup of the stimulation device. After surgery, the patient recovered well, with promising prospects for significant improvement in seizure frequency and severity.
Dr. Truong Thanh Tinh, Head of the Department of Neurosurgery at UMC, said that the successful implementation of the VNS technique marked a new advancement in the treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy in Vietnam, demonstrating the ability of Vietnamese surgeons to master advanced medical techniques. According to him, the combination of minimally invasive surgery and advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and new-generation neurological devices will open up more effective and safer treatment opportunities for patients in the coming time.
The first vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) device implantation surgery in Vietnam for a patient with drug-resistant epilepsy.
Delivering the opening remarks at the conference, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Minh Anh, Deputy Director of UMC, emphasized: “Drug-resistant epilepsy is one of the major challenges in modern medicine, seriously affecting patients’ health and quality of life. While medical treatment remains the foundation, a significant proportion of patients do not respond to medication and require surgical intervention. This conference is an opportunity to update new advances, standardize practices, and share experience in modern surgical methods that are less invasive, safer, and more effective — toward the goal of bringing a better life to patients.”
More than 100 experts, surgeons, and doctors in the fields of neurosurgery, neurology, psychiatry, neurophysiology, and anesthesiology and resuscitation attended the event. The reports focused on optimizing medical treatment, updating traditional surgical techniques, and introducing advances in minimally invasive surgery.
Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) was regarded as a key highlight of the conference. This method uses an implanted device that delivers electrical impulses to stimulate the vagus nerve, helping regulate brain activity and reduce the frequency and severity of seizures. It is especially useful for patients who do not respond to medication. With its advantages of safety, minimal invasiveness, and fast recovery time, VNS offers new hope for many patient groups and marks Vietnam’s integration with modern treatment trends in global medicine.
Dr. Truong Thanh Tinh, Head of the Department of Neurosurgery at UMC, speaks at the event.
Alongside the achievements, experts also discussed challenges in implementing this technique, including treatment costs, equipment requirements, specialized personnel, and systematic training. However, the conference affirmed the necessity of cooperation, technology transfer, and the development of specialty networks to help patients at different healthcare levels access advanced treatment methods.
According to Dr. Truong Thanh Tinh, over the next 5–10 years, the treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy will witness strong development thanks to the combination of minimally invasive surgery and modern medical technologies, moving toward a more comprehensive and humane era of treatment for epilepsy patients.