Botulinum toxin for the treatment of gastroparesis: A preliminary report

Brian E. Lacy, Estephan N. Zayat, Michael D. Crowell, Marvin M. Schuster

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

96 Scopus citations

Abstract

Gastroparesis is a disorder of gastric motility that results in delayed gastric emptying. Common symptoms include early satiety, postprandial fullness, epigastric pain, nausea, vomiting, and weight loss. The underlying etiologies of gastroparesis are many and include diabetes, prior gastric surgery, collagen vascular disorders, and a previous viral illness. Up to one third of cases are classified as idiopathic. Treatment typically consists of a change in diet to small volume, frequent meals and the use of the prokinetic agents metoclopramide, cisapride, erythromycin, or domperidone. Botulinum toxin has recently been shown to be effective in treating disorders of smooth muscle hypertonicity in the GI tract. This case report describes three patients with severe gastroparesis whose symptoms persisted despite dietary changes and the use of high dose prokinetic agents. All three were treated with intrasphincteric injection of the pylorus with botulinum toxin and all had significant symptomatic improvement afterwards. Possible mechanisms of action of botulinum toxin on the pylorus and its effects in patients with gastroparesis are discussed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1548-1552
Number of pages5
JournalAmerican Journal of Gastroenterology
Volume97
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - 2002

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Hepatology
  • Gastroenterology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Botulinum toxin for the treatment of gastroparesis: A preliminary report'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this