[Gastroparesis. Definition, diagnostics, and therapy]

Abstract

Gastroparesis is characterized by a constellation of upper gastrointestinal symptoms in association with delayed gastric emptying in the absence of mechanical outlet obstruction from the stomach. Major symptoms are nausea, vomiting, early satiety or postprandial fullness, bloating, and abdominal or epigastric pain. Idiopathic, diabetic, and postsurgical causes represent the most common etiologies. Diagnostic procedures for the evaluation of gastroparesis comprise gastric emptying scintigraphy (gold standard), (13)C-octanoate breath testing, and a wireless motility capsule. Management of gastroparesis includes normalization of nutritional state, relief of symptoms, glycemic control, and improvement of gastric emptying. Medical treatment entails use of prokinetic drugs, which are currently the first-line therapy. Nausea and vomiting might be positively influenced by antiemetic drugs. Gastric electronic stimulation and surgical interventions should be used in well-defined patients and represent a therapeutic option in tertiary centers.