Objectives To investigate the efficacy and safety of vagus nerve stimulation（ VNS） in the treatment of refractory epilepsy. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 17 patients with refractory epilepsy who underwent vagal nerve stimulation from August 2016 to November 2018， including curative effects and complications. Results All the patients were followed up for 6-29 months. The efficacy was evaluated according to McHugh classification， 6 patients were McHugh Class Ⅰ A ， and 7 patients were McHugh Class Ⅱ A， 2 patients were McHugh Class Ⅱ B， 1 patient was McHugh Class Ⅲ A， 1 patient was McHugh Class Ⅴ . There was no statistically significant difference in the efficacy between the group within one year of follow-up and the one of more than one year. No severe side effect or surgical complication was observed， except for 4 patients with hoarse voice and cough after having VNS machine on. Conclusions Vagal nerve stimulation is a safe and effective option to the patients with refractory epilepsy， especially for the patients who were also not belong to the candidate for resection surgery.