Feasibility of gastric electrical stimulation by use of endoscopically placed electrodes.
BACKGROUND
Gastric electrical stimulation (GES), which has been reported to have therapeutic potentials for gastroparesis and obesity, involves the surgical placement of electrodes with the patient under general anesthesia. New methods are needed for implanting GES electrodes in a safer and more feasible way.


OBJECTIVE
Our purpose was to investigate the safety and feasibility of placing electrodes endoscopically for GES.


METHODS
A pilot study.


METHODS
Six female hound dogs that weighed 13 to 22 kg.


METHODS
Endoscopically placed electrodes passed through the abdomen and the stomach wall.


METHODS
The study was performed in dogs surgically implanted with gastric serosal electrodes and endoscopically implanted electrodes. The experiment consisted of a 30-minute baseline, a 30-minute GES, and a 30-minute recovery. GES was performed through endoscopically placed electrodes. Gastric slow waves were simultaneously recorded with the serosal electrodes and the endoscopically placed electrodes.


RESULTS
(1) The slow wave frequency recorded from the endoscopically placed electrodes was significantly correlated with that from the serosal electrodes (r = 0.97, P < .002). (2) GES through the endoscopically placed electrodes was able to entrain gastric slow waves. (3) No gastric leakage into the abdominal cavity was noted and the dogs were healthy and comfortable. (4) The endoscopically placed electrodes remained for 2 to 3 weeks.


CONCLUSIONS
The fixation of the electrodes needs to be improved for longer-term uses.


CONCLUSIONS
GES may be accomplished without surgery by inserting the electrode wire through the abdomen under endoscopy. The study results indicate that the endoscopically placed electrodes are effective for GES and do not result in any adverse events.
Xu
Xiaohong
X
Division of Gastroenterology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA.
Pasricha
Pankaj J
PJ
Chen
Jiande D Z
JD
D000818:Animals; D004285:Dogs; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D018589:Gastroparesis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D005773:Gastroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D009765:Obesity / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D010865:Pilot Projects