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Updated: Jun 8, 2026
Autonomous and Rechargeable Microneurostimulator Endoscopically Implantable into the Submucosa
Published on: September 27, 2018
Temporary percutaneous gastric electrical stimulation: a novel technique tested in patients with non-established
S Andersson1, G Ringström, A Elfvin
1Department of Internal Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Aim:
To test temporary percutaneous gastric electrical stimulation (TPGES) in patients with drug-refractory nausea/vomiting and nonestablished indications for GES.
Methods:
27 patients (2-81 years) underwent TPGES with electrodes implanted at gastroscopy and received stimulation for 7-21 days with low current settings (5-7 mA) either as open stimulation (n = 14) or randomized to double-blind crossover stimulation (n = 13; ON for 12-14 days, OFF for 12-14 days). Symptoms were recorded daily. Nonresponders were offered another period (14-21 days) with increased stimulation (8-10 mA).
Results:
Mean lead implantation time was 14 min. Leads were kept implanted for ≤60 days. 22 of 27 evaluable patients had a favorable symptom reduction, preferentially of nausea/vomiting, irrespective of delayed or normal gastric emptying rate: postsurgical gastroparesis 7/8, chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction 2/2, idiopathic gastroparesis 1/1, functional dyspepsia 6/9, diabetes mellitus 2/2, postsurgical nausea/vomiting 2/2, malformation syndrome 1/1, intestinal neuropathy 1/1, intestinal interstitial cells of Cajal deficiency 0/1. 6 patients had a clear symptom reduction during the ON period compared with stimulation OFF. Four of 7 patients improved with increased stimulation (8-10 mA). Twenty of the 22 responders received a permanent GES implant, 90% of them still being responders at last follow-up.
Conclusion:
TPGES seems promising to study new indications for GES and to select responders/non-responders.
