Faculty Collaboration Database

Gastric electrical stimulation is an effective and safe treatment for medically refractory gastroparesis. Surgery 2008 Oct;144(4):566-72; discussion 572-4

Date

10/14/2008

Pubmed ID

18847640

DOI

10.1016/j.surg.2008.06.024

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-51449120109 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   37 Citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Gastroparesis is characterized by delayed gastric emptying in the absence of obstruction. Common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Severe gastroparesis can result in recurrent hospitalizations, malnutrition, and even death. Gastric electrical stimulation (GES) is a low morbidity treatment that may be effective in patients who are refractory to medical therapy.

METHODS: For a period of more than 35 months, 19 GES systems were implanted laparoscopically for refractory gastroparesis of diabetic (DG, n = 10), idiopathic (IG, n = 6), or postsurgical (PSG, n = 3) etiology. Total gastroparesis symptom scores (TSS) and weekly vomiting frequency were assessed. Gastric emptying studies were attained preoperatively and after 6 months.

RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 38 weeks. There were no major complications. Within 6 weeks, frequency of vomiting decreased in 75% of DG (6/8) and 100% of IG (4/4) patients. No PSG patient complained of vomiting preoperatively. Mean TSS scores improved significantly at all intervals out to 1 year. Gastric emptying studies normalized in 80% of DG patients but in only 1 of the 6 patients with gastroparesis due to other causes.

CONCLUSION: GES therapy can lead to improvement in symptoms of gastroparesis and frequency of vomiting within 6 weeks. This therapy is a low morbidity treatment option that may help patients whose symptoms fail to improve with medical therapy.

Author List

McKenna D, Beverstein G, Reichelderfer M, Gaumnitz E, Gould J

Author

Jon Gould MD Chief, Professor in the Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Cohort Studies
Electric Stimulation Therapy
Electrodes, Implanted
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Gastric Emptying
Gastroparesis
Gastroscopy
Humans
Male
Patient Satisfaction
Probability
Quality of Life
Risk Assessment
Severity of Illness Index
Statistics, Nonparametric
Treatment Outcome