[Disorders of gastric emptying].

Disorders of gastric emptying are observed in many clinical situations. Their symptoms are diverse and correlate poorly with the objective abnormalities of gastric emptying. The underlying mechanism consists of abnormalities of basal electrical rhythm, fundic compliance, post-prandial antral motricity and, above all, antro-pyloro-duodenal co-ordination, associated to varying degrees. Among possible causes 3 clinical situations predominate: diabetes mellitus, functional gastrointestinal disorders (idiopathic dyspepsia) and sequelae of gastric surgery where retention of solids and accelerated evacuation of liquids may coexist in the same patient. Treatment of gastric incontinence rests, almost exclusively, on dietary measures, but several drugs, such as metoclopramide, domperidone and cisapride, are available to treat gastric stasis. Other compounds, notably motilin agonists (erythromycin and its derivatives) are currently being evaluated and will reinforce this therapeutic armentarium in a not too distant future.