The Surgeon’s Role in Gastric Electrical Stimulation Therapy for Gastroparesis

Gastroparesis, which can be viewed as a syndrome featuring nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, and associated other symptoms and findings, is increasingly seen by surgeons. Gastroparesis is associated with a number of gastrointestinal anatomic and physiologic findings. This article reviews the use of bioelectric therapy of neuromodulation, via gastric electrical stimulation, for patients with drug refractory gastroparesis syndromes including surgical aspects of device placement and subsequent management. In addition to an overall approach to the placement and subsequent management of gastric electrical stimulation devices, several newer concepts are discussed. The role of pyloric dysfunction in gastroparesis is also discussed including how stimulation devices and pyloric therapies may be used in concert. The additions of full-thickness gastrointestinal biopsies along with other physiologic, including GI electrophysiology, as well as some serologic measures, are also discussed. In addition, evolving approaches and emerging technologies for bioelectric neuromodulation of the gastrointestinal tract are introduced. Gastroparesis syndromes can be approached in a systematic manner based on known pathophysiology and when indicated can be helped with surgical therapies including neuromodulation.