Gastroparesis (GP) is a disorder manifested by delayed gastric emptying in the absence of mechanical obstruction. Clinically, GP may be associated with severe nausea, vomiting, and malnutrition. The principal diagnostic test for delayed gastric empting is nuclear scintigraphy. GP and delayed gastric emptying may accompany and also mimic other diseases or in some cases may be asymptomatic, thus the difficulty in diagnosing, treating, and monitoring this disorder. Gastric electrical stimulation (GES) is considered a treatment option for patients with severe symptoms associated with GP. The Enterra TM Therapy system is a GES system that is implanted subcutaneously in the abdominal wall and provides high-frequency, low-energy stimulation to the muscle wall of the stomach via a pair of electrodes/leads. The treatment is reversible. The Enterra TM Therapy system may be turned off by the physician at any time or may be removed. The Enterra TM Therapy system had licensure approval from Health Canada as a Class 3 device for the treatment of chronic intractable nausea and vomiting. The aim of this paper is to present the current evidence on the efficacy/effectiveness, safety, and efficiency of GES (Enterra TM Therapy system) used for the treatment of patients with severe GP.
