The use of a sump antibiotic irrigation system to save infected hardware in a patient with a vagal nerve stimulator:

Abstract 

The authors describe the use of a sump irrigation system that was used to successfully treat the battery implantation site of a vagal nerve stimulator (VNS). Irrigation was composed of a dilution of vancomycin in lactated Ringer's solution. At long-term follow up, the patient has not returned with signs or symptoms of wound infection. She continues to effectively combat her epilepsy with VNS. The authors believe this to be the first description of this technique for salvaging an implanted VNS.

Abbreviations: VNS, Vagal nerve stimulation/stimulator

Keywords: Peripheral nerve, Neurosurgery, Neck, Wound, Cranial nerve, Seizures, Treatment