Gastric Stimulation

Gastric Stimulation - Intractable Symptomatic Gastroparesis

Gastric stimulation is the subject of many studies to treat other rare pathologies: Gastro paresis and others stomach motor disorders. These syndromes are expressed by vomits, dehydratation, and metabolic and nutritional complications, affecting mainly the diabetes patients.

The treatment of gastroparesis remains un-satisfactory despite prokinetic and anti-emetic drugs. Gastric electrical stimulation has been proposed as an alternative therapeutic option.

Gastric electrical stimulation (GES) utilizes an electrical device called a gastric pacemaker, to provide mild electrical stimulation to selected lower stomach nerves. Transmitted through a neurostimulator, these mild electrical pulses encourage the stomach to contract and help to relieve nausea and vomiting. Utilizing minimally invasive surgical techniques, the gastric pacemaker is placed subcutaneously below the rib cage in the abdomen. Two intramuscular lead wires with electrodes are implanted into the stomach muscle wall to deliver mild electrical pulses for symptom control. This therapy is reversible and can be turned off at any time by the motility specialist.

Gastric Stimulation - Morbid Obesity

A new technique has been added to bariatric surgery: the Implantable Gastric Stimulation (IGS), which appears to be able to induce satiety while avoiding the drawbacks of bariatric surgery. Bariatic surgery entail a substantial modification of the upper gastro-intestinal tract, regarding both its anatomy and its function.

The gastric pulse generator is very similar to the pacemakers used in cardiology, and can be implanted by laparoscopy: the Implantable Gastric Stimulator system is made up of three parts, the Implantable Gastric Stimulator (IGS), the lead and the programmer. The IGS is a small metal box containing electronic circuitry and power source. It looks similar to a heart pacemaker and is the size of a pocket watch. Its purpose is to generate electronic pulses. It is implanted under the skin just below the rib cage on the front of the abdomen. The second part of the system is the lead. It is a thin, insulated electrical wire, which carries the electrical signals from the IGS to the stomach. The third part is the programmer. It is a hand held device slightly larger than a cellular phone. It is like a remote control that can check how the IGS is functioning and change the type of electrical signals.