Pre-operative gastric emptying time correlates with clinical response to gastric electrical stimulation in the treatment of gastroparesis.

BACKGROUND

Gastric electrical stimulation (GES) may be of benefit in cases of gastroparesis that fail to respond to standard medical therapy. Response to this treatment is varied and prediction of clinical improvement is difficult.

METHODS

This was a retrospective review and symptom questionnaire survey for all patients who underwent GES insertion in a single institution from November 2008 until May 2010 using the gastroparesis cardinal symptom index (GCSI).

RESULTS

14 out of 17 patients who had GES insertion responded to telephone or postal questionnaire. Mean pre-operative gastric emptying time was 151 min (median 146 min, range 18-318). Median follow up was 14 months (range 7-25 months). The mean reduction in GCSI score after GES insertion was 51% (13.4 vs 6.4, Z = 0.0013). Percentage reduction in GCSI correlated with pre-operative solid gastric emptying time (p = 0.0086). Two patients who responded to questionnaire required device removal, one due to a gastric perforation and the other for discomfort related to the implant and a poor clinical response.

CONCLUSIONS

GES significantly improves symptoms of gastroparesis on the GCSI score. Not all patients respond equally to GES, and response may be predicted by pre-operative solid gastric emptying times.