Electrostimulation for Intractable Delayed Emptying of Intrathoracic Stomach After Esophagectomy

Purpose The use of the denervated intrathoracic stomach as esophageal substitute can rarely lead to severe delayed gastric emptying. We describe the use of electrostimulation for this condition. Description Gastric electrical stimulation (GES) is used to treat medically refractory gastroparesis and uses a battery powered neurostimulator connected to the gastric antrum with two electrodes. We implant the electrodes through a right thoracotomy and tunnel them to the right subcostal area where the pacemaker is placed. Evaluation Medically refractory gastroparesis developed in 2 male patients, aged 52 and 60 years, who underwent Ivor-Lewis esophagectomies for esophageal adenocarcinoma and were dependant on jejunostomy feedings. These patients initially had endoscopic placement of temporary stimulating electrodes with significant improvement in symptoms and radionucleotide gastric emptying. The patients subsequently underwent implantation of a permanent GES device. Relief of symptoms was persistent with no nausea or vomiting and a decrease of total symptom score (maximum 20) from 12.5 and 16 to 6 and 9, respectively. Conclusions Patients with intractable delayed gastric emptying after esophagogastrectomy may benefit from a GES device implanted through a thoracotomy.