Procedure: What to Expect
Gastroparesis
Before the Procedure
Implanting a gastric electrical stimulation system typically takes from 1 to 2 hours under general anaesthesia. Your doctor will discuss the surgery with you in detail and determine the best locations for incisions and placement of the neurostimulator and leads based on your medical history, individual anatomy, and personal preferences.
During the Procedure
Your doctor will try to place the system in an area that is most comfortable for you so that you can maintain normal daily activities. The location should also be cosmetically acceptable to you.
In addition, your doctor will follow special implant and programming considerations if you have another medical device already implanted.
Based on your doctor’s preference, one of two surgical techniques will be used for your implant:
- Laparotomy or “open approach” – surgery is performed through a small abdominal incision, or
- Laparoscopy – special surgical instruments are inserted through small incisions to perform the procedure
During the implant, the electrode at the tip of each lead is placed in the muscle wall of your stomach. The lead bodies are then routed under your skin from the stomach to the neurostimulator and connected.
The neurostimulator is placed in a pocket formed just beneath your skin, usually below the rib cage and above the belt line in the lower abdominal region. The pocket is then sutured closed.
Implanting a gastric electrical stimulation system has risks related to the surgical procedure (including infection, discomfort, or bruising) and risks related to the therapy and devices. See Probable Benefits and Risks for more information.
After the Procedure
After the surgery, your doctor will use the clinician programmer to adjust the neurostimulator to settings that are appropriate for your needs. Programming is noninvasive and can be done in the hospital or doctor’s office.
The Enterra™ Therapy system for gastric electrical stimulation is authorised for use in treatment of chronic intractable (drug refractory) nausea and vomiting secondary to gastroparesis of diabetic or idiopathic etiology. The effectiveness of this device for this use has not been demonstrated.
Information on this site should not be used as a substitute for talking with your doctor. Always talk with your doctor about diagnosis and treatment information.