First Pacemaker Implant for Epilepsy Treatment Performed in Nicosia

A groundbreaking procedure has been carried out at Burhan Nalbantoğlu State Hospital in Nicosia, where, for the first time, a pacemaker was implanted to treat epilepsy (vagus nerve stimulation – VNS). The device was implanted in a 27-year-old patient who had been taking numerous anti-epileptic medications for years but had been unable to control his seizures.

The surgery was performed by Dr. Tanyu Uçar, a specialist in brain and nerve surgery. The medical team, led by the attending physician Çağıl Özankaya, stated that this operation marks the beginning of a new and promising era in the treatment of epilepsy.

Health Minister Hakan Dinçyürek emphasized that this procedure is a groundbreaking achievement in the treatment of uncontrollable epileptic seizures and a clear indication of the healthcare advancements in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).

"Today, we’ve opened new horizons at Burhan Nalbantoğlu State Hospital. Epilepsy stimulation is a method that offers hope in cases where medications fail, and surgery alone cannot control the seizures. Through this method, we aim to reduce the frequency and severity of seizures, and in some cases, even eliminate them entirely," the Minister said.