Invasive procedures for hiccups: a national single healthcare system study

Area of Science:

• Medical procedures
• Gastroenterology
• Neurology

Background:

• Persistent hiccups can lead to significant morbidity, including sleep deprivation and aspiration.
• Invasive procedures are sometimes considered for intractable hiccups when conservative measures fail.

Purpose of the Study:

• To test the hypothesis that invasive procedures can palliate hiccups.
• To assess the safety profile of invasive procedures for hiccup management.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of multi-site electronic medical data from January 1995 to January 2022.
• Inclusion of adult patients who underwent invasive procedures for hiccups.
• Definition of hiccup palliation as documented improvement in symptom severity or frequency.

Main Results:

• 144 procedures were performed on 69 patients; 45% achieved palliation after the first procedure.
• 32 patients (46%) required multiple procedures, with 35 subsequent procedures resulting in palliation.
• Five adverse events were reported, including atrial fibrillation, haematoma, vocal cord immobility, and cerebrospinal fluid leak.

Conclusions:

• Invasive procedures can palliate hiccups with an acceptable safety profile.
• Hiccup palliation is achieved in approximately half of patients, with results potentially being transient.
• The study highlights the need to balance efficacy and safety in invasive hiccup treatments.