Gastric Electrical Stimulation
What is Gastric Electrical Stimulation?
Gastric electrical stimulation is a treatment for children who have severe nausea and vomiting, often related to gastroparesis (slow stomach emptying), that does not improve with medicines or diet changes. A small device sends gentle pulses to the stomach to help reduce symptoms. While gastric electrical stimulation has grown over the past two decades, it is still only offered at a few pediatric centers in the United States. Nationwide Children’s Hospital was among the first in the world to pioneer this advanced therapy in children.
Who Might Benefit From Gastric Electrical Stimulation?
Gastric electrical stimulation may be considered for children with ongoing nausea, vomiting, early fullness, or poor weight gain when standard care has not helped. Studies in children show many patients have fewer symptoms and can eat better after gastric electrical stimulation, though results vary. Your child’s care team will review all options with you.
How Does Gastric Electrical Stimulation Work?
A surgeon places a small battery-powered device under the skin of the abdomen. Two thin wires attach to the stomach wall. The device sends low-energy signals to the stomach’s nerves and muscles. These signals can reduce nausea and vomiting, even when stomach emptying does not completely return to normal. Settings can be adjusted in clinic over time.
What Takes Place Before Surgery?
Your child will be seen in our Neurogastroenterology and Motility Disorders Center. We review the medical history, nutrition, and previous treatments. Some children have tests to better understand how the stomach is working, such as a gastric emptying study. We discuss the potential benefits, risks, and other treatment choices so you can decide what is best for your child.
How Does the Procedure Work?
Gastric electrical stimulation is usually done in two stages under general anesthesia.
Stage 1 – Test Phase
A pediatric gastroenterologist and pediatric surgeon place a thin wire (lead) down the nose and use an endoscope to guide the lead to the stomach. The end of the wire is then clipped in place in the stomach. This is performed under general anesthesia. The wire connects to a small stimulator that remains outside the body. This temporary setup stays in place for two weeks so the team can see how your child responds. During this trial period, the device can be turned on and adjusted to help reduce nausea and vomiting while your child’s symptoms, eating, and comfort are closely watched.
If your child shows clear improvement during the test phase, we move to the next step. If the benefit is not clear, the team will discuss next steps, which may include device removal and other treatment options.
Stage 2 – Long-term Implant
The surgeon replaces the temporary device with a long-term implant. This is a minimally invasive (laparoscopic) surgery under general anesthesia. Through a few small incisions, the surgeon gently exposes the stomach and secures two thin leads (wires) to the outer muscle layer of the stomach wall. The leads connect to a small stimulator that is then implanted under the skin of the abdomen.
The stimulator continues to send gentle electrical signals to the stomach. Most children stay in the hospital for a short time after surgery. Before going home, families receive instructions about incision care, pain control, activity, and follow-up visits for device checks and adjustments. The device is not visible through clothing and does not make noise. Most children do not feel the stimulation as painful – some may notice a light tapping or tingling that can be adjusted.
What Happens After Surgery?
After surgery, most children ease back into regular activity and eating, guided by the care team. Follow-up visits focus on symptom tracking, nutrition, and device adjustments. Many patients report less nausea and vomiting and better quality of life; some reduce or stop tube feedings or IV nutrition. Batteries last several years and can be replaced in a minor procedure. Outcomes differ by child.
What Are the Risks?
As with any surgery, there are risks such as infection, bleeding, pain at the device site, or device problems (for example, a wire moving out of place). Not every child improves with gastric electrical stimulation therapy. Your team will explain ways we lower risk — child-specific anesthesia, careful surgical technique, and close follow-up — and will help you weigh the pros and cons for your child.
Why Nationwide Children’s Hospital?
At Nationwide Children’s, gastric electrical stimulation is offered in our Neurogastroenterology and Motility Disorders Center — a high-volume pediatric program focused on complex motility conditions.
Families travel from across the country and around the world for our expertise. Your child’s care is coordinated by a multidisciplinary team — pediatric GI, surgery, anesthesia, psychology, nutrition and social work — using advanced diagnostics and pediatric-specific anesthesia and monitoring to maximize comfort and safety. We streamline access to clinic visits, procedures and imaging so recovery and follow-up move quickly. Above all, we aim to relieve symptoms and address the underlying motility problem, so results last and your child can get back to everyday life.
