[Recurrent gastroparesis following abdominal irradiation. Therapy with cisapride]

Following abdominal radiation a 16-year-old male patient developed nausea and vomiting secondary to gastric stasis, dilatation and impairment of antral motility. Symptoms improved after 2 months of treatment with a cholinergic agonist. Now, 7 years later, symptoms recurred. Cisapride, a newly developed agent which stimulates gastrointestinal motility probably evoked a prompt increase of antral motility and gastric emptying. We conclude that abdominal irradiation may cause gastrointestinal motility disturbances which may respond to medical therapy.