Temporary gastric neuromodulation for intractable nausea and vomiting

INTRODUCTIONGastric neuromodulation (GNM) has been advocated for the treatment of drug refractory gastroparesis or persistent nausea and vomiting in the absence of a mechanical bowel obstruction. There is, however, little in the way of objective data to support its use, particularly with regards to its effects on gastric emptying. METHODSSix patients (male-to-female ratio: 4:2, mean age: 49 years, range: 44–57 years) underwent the GNM between April and August 2010. Three patients had confirmed slow gastrointestinal transit. Aetiology included previous gastric surgery in two, diabetes in one and idiopathic nausea and vomiting in three patients. GNM pacing wires were placed endoscopically and left in situ for seven days. Pa-tients underwent gastric scintigraphy before and 24 hours after the commencement of GNM. Total gastroparesis symptom scores (TSS), weekly vomiting frequency scores (VFS), health-related quality of life (using the SF-12® questionnaire), gastric emptying, nutri-tional status and weight wer...