Gastric electrical stimulation

G a s t r i c E l e c t r i c a l S t i m u l a t i o n
What is Gastric Electrical
conservative therapies are candidates for GES.
Stimulation (Enterra™
Many of these patients have difficulty eating DIGESTIVE
Therapy)?
and experience severe, chronic vomiting and nausea. Some patients may even require tube DISEASE CENTER
Gastric electrical stimulation (GES) utilizes an feeding to ensure adequate nutrition. There are electrical device, Enterra™ Therapy, called a a number of causes for gastroparesis including GASTROINTESTINAL
gastric pacemaker, to provide mild electrical diabetes mellitus, anorexia and bulimia, lupus, stimulation to the lower stomach nerves.
MOTILITY
and brain disorders. However, nearly 60% of Transmitted through a neurostimulator, these the cases have an unknown origin. GES is used SERVICES
mild electrical pulses encourage the stomach only when medication is not effective in to contract and help to relieve nausea and controlling symptoms that can be serious, vomiting. Utilizing minimally invasive surgical including malnutrition and severe dehydration.
techniques, the gastric pacemaker is placed In clinical studies, GES reduced vomiting At California Pacific
frequency by up to 81% from baseline at 12 Medical Center we are
abdomen. Two intramuscular lead wires with electrodes are implanted into the stomach committed to bringing
muscle wall to deliver mild electrical pulses for new and advanced
Vomiting frequency
symptom control. This therapy is reversible and diagnostic tools, medical
can be turned off at any time by the motility treatments and surgical
options to the physicians
we serve and the
patients they care for.
Through this procedure
profile, our physicians
illustrate actual medical
situations that provide
you with a window
into their practice of
diagnosis, treatment
Gastric emptying
and patient follow-up.
The Enterra™ Therapy system was designatedas a Humanitarian Use Device by the FDA inthe fall of 1999. Humanitarian Use Devices aremedical devices specially designated by theFDA for use in treatment of rare medical con-ditions with an incidence of less than 4000patients per year.
Why does a patient need
GES?
Patients diagnosed with gastroparesis, a For patient referrals:
(888) 637–2762
stomach more slowly than normal, who have www.cpmc.org
case studies
1. Diabetic
Gastroparesis/
Sarcoidodis
Case Overview
A 31 year-old female was referred to theComplex Digestive Disease Center presenting with extensive nausea andvomiting which required seven hospital-izations in the last eight months. Thepatient has been treated unsuccessfullywith Zofran, Reglan and erytromycian onprior admissions in an attempt to controlher symptoms. The diagnostic gastro-intestinal motility study showed absenceof phase 3 contractions in the stomach.
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy identifiedno obstructions of the stomach. Thepatient continued to experience vomit-ing, nausea with epigastric discomfort Laparoscopic image of electrodes attached to stomach wall. Treatment
2. Idiopathic
Gastroparesis/
Gastric Reflux/
laparoscopic gastric pacemaker insertion.
Hiatal Hernia
Case Overview
with a five-year history of severe uncon- severe gastric reflux and had undergonea laparoscopic cholecystectomy, which affecting her ability to maintain employ- lems were stable with little vomiting ornausea. The patient returned for a gastricemptying study showing normal gastric Treatment
intestinal motility studies and a gastricemptying study to confirm gastroparesis.
It was decided that a laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication, pyloroplasty and lysis of adhesions be performed to reduce hersevere reflux, prior to insertion of the 3. Diabetes Mellitus/
Gastroparesis
Case Overview
A 34-year-old diabetic man was referredto the Complex Digestive Disease Centerwith a 7-year history of severe gastro-paresis. He had been unable to tolerateor had been unresponsive to conven-tional medical therapy for this condition.
He was recently seen in his local hospital emergency room due to his inability tomaintain minimal nutritional intakewhere a nasogastric tube was placed todecompress the abdomen. He had beenhospitalized 10 times in the last year andvomiting up to 6 times a day. He had lostapproximately 100 pounds over the lastfour years. The patient had a T-half emptying time of 280 minutes with noisotope leaving the stomach for twohours.
X-ray of implanted Enterra™ device Treatment
Gastric Emptying Study
ultrasound, gastric and small intestinalmotility studies and a gastric emptyingstudy to confirm gastroparesis. It wasdecided that he was an excellent candidate for insertion of the gastricpacemaker device.
His surgery proceeded without compli-cations and he was discharged home forfollow-up with his local GI specialist.
T-half emptying time of 280 minutes tonormal of 45 minutes.
G a s t r i c E l e c t r i c a l S t i m u l a t i o n
What are the risks?
What can a patient
For more information
• Risks associated with general anesthe- Medical Director, Gastrointestinal Motility each patient requires, the batteries last rarely notice the mild stimulation to the • Persistent pain at the neurostimulator Director, Minimally Invasive Surgery Patient referral to the
Gastrointestinal Motility
Services
How is the gastric
mary care provider or physician specialistprior to scheduling their evaluation and electrical stimulator
surgery. Medical records, pertinent labo- implanted?
The implantation of the gastric electrical to be forwarded to California Pacific’s mately 21/2" long, 2" wide and 1/2" thick, indication appropriateness. Patients need is done surgically under general anesthe- to be seen in consultation prior to sched- uling the Enterra™ Therapy procedure.
implants two small electrodes into thestomach muscle wall. Lead connectors Insurance coverage
are run subcutaneously along theabdomen and connected to the neu- the belt line. The duration of surgery is coverage for this service and obtain prior required to stay overnight in the hospital Copyright California Pacific Medical Center. All rights reserved. • MOT-gaselecstimpro-2002

Source: http://www.obesitydoctor.net/gastric_electrical_stim.pdf