Endoscopic treatment modalities for the management of gastroparesis: a critical review

Gastroparesis, a chronic condition with complex etiopathogenesis, is associated with considerable symptom burden and significant morbidity. Dietary modifications and pharmacotherapy exhibit limited long-term efficacy, while surgical interventions are characterized by higher morbidity and variable efficacy. Endoscopic procedures, because of their less invasive nature, have been the focus of past and ongoing research. The majority of endoscopic treatment modalities target the pylorus: e.g., gastric peroral endoscopic pyloromyotomy, botulinum toxin injection, pyloric balloon dilatation, and transpyloric stent placement. Endoscopic feeding tube placement, endoscopic gastric electrical stimulation, and endoscopic ultrasound-guided gastroenterostomy have also been used to treat gastroparesis; however, these procedures are less well-studied. This critical review provides a detailed overview of the available endoscopic procedures for the management of gastroparesis, with emphasis on their pros and cons, quality of data and overall efficacy.