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Gastric electrical stimulation in medically refractory nausea and vomiting
Guillaume Gourcerol1, Isabelle Leblanc, Anne Marie Leroi
1Department of Physiology, Rouen University Hospital, Rouen, France. guillaume.gourcerol@univ-rouen.fr
European Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology
|January 9, 2007
Summary
High-frequency gastric electrical stimulation effectively treats chronic nausea and vomiting, regardless of whether gastric emptying is delayed or normal. This therapy offers significant symptom improvement for patients with refractory gastrointestinal issues.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Medical Devices
- Therapeutics
Background:
- Refractory nausea and vomiting significantly impact patient quality of life.
- High-frequency gastric electrical stimulation (HGFES) is a therapeutic option for gastroparetic patients, but its effect on gastric emptying is inconsistent.
- The efficacy of HGFES in patients with normal gastric emptying and refractory symptoms remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the symptomatic efficacy of HGFES in patients with refractory nausea and vomiting.
- To compare the effectiveness of HGFES between patients with delayed gastric emptying and those with normal gastric emptying.
Main Methods:
- A study included 15 patients with chronic, severe, and medically resistant nausea and vomiting.
- Patients were divided into two groups: delayed gastric emptying (Group 1, n=8) and normal gastric emptying (Group 2, n=7).
- Symptoms, quality of life (using Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index), and gastric emptying (via scintigraphy/breath test) were assessed at baseline and 6 months post-stimulation.
Main Results:
- Both groups showed significant improvement in quality of life and nausea/vomiting scores after 6 months of HGFES.
- Group 1 experienced additional improvements in bloating, regurgitations, abdominal pain, and appetite, which were not observed in Group 2.
- Gastric emptying normalized in some patients in both groups, but the overall change was not statistically significant compared to baseline.
Conclusions:
- HGFES appears to be an effective therapy for chronic, severe nausea and vomiting.
- The benefits of HGFES extend to patients with normal gastric emptying, not just those with delayed emptying.
- HGFES offers a promising treatment option for refractory nausea and vomiting irrespective of gastric emptying status.
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