Predictors of favorable outcome after pyloroplasty for gastroparesis: should response to pyloric dilation or Botox injection be used as a marker of surgical outcome?

Non-cosmetic use of botulinum toxin in surgical conditions

Botulinum toxin (BTX) is a neurotoxin that has an ability to create a fully reversible relaxation of muscles through decreased release of acethylcholin. It also has an effect on the cholinergic autoimmune nervous system, and it can reduce pain sensitization. BTX is widely used in cosmetic treatments. In recent years, BTX has increasingly been used to treat several medical and surgical conditions. In many cases, this is despite weak evidence and without approval from the European Medicine Agency (EMA). This narrative review describes how BTX is used in the different surgical specialties and provides a brief overview of the use of BTX for non-cosmetic surgical conditions.

Efficacy of gastric per-oral endoscopic myotomy remains similar after failure of interventional techniques in refractory gastroparesis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Gastric per-oral endoscopic myotomy (G-POEM) is a new therapeutic option for the treatment of refractory gastroparesis. However, the outcome of G-POEM after the failure of gastric electrical stimulation (GES) or other pylorus-targeting therapies has been poorly reported.

METHODS

Data were collected from patients referred for G-POEM for refractory gastroparesis. The efficacy in patients with previous interventional techniques was compared to patients naïve to instrumental technique. The primary endpoint was the 6-month clinical success rate, defined as at least a 1-point decrease in the Gastroparesis Cardinal Symptom Index (GCSI).

RESULTS

Among 48 patients referred for G-POEM, 32 patients had previous instrumental treatments (66%): 15 (31%) had GES, and 17 (35%) had pyloric endoscopic dilation or toxin injection. The technical success rate was 100%. At 6 months, clinical success was achieved in 25/48 patients (52%) and the GCSI decreased from 3.38 (2.94-3.95) to 2.25 (1.11-3.36) (p < 0.001). The 6-month success rate was similar in patients with or without previous instrumental treatment (50.0% vs 56.3%; p = 0.41). The complication rate was also similar in the two groups (6.3% vs 12.5%; p = 0.59), with only one severe adverse event. The only predictive factor for success at 6 months was a higher body mass index (OR = 1.14 [1.01-1.32]; p = 0.05).

CONCLUSION

G-POEM is safe and remains effective after GES or previous pyloric treatment failure, with 50% efficacy at 6 months. The therapeutic strategy in refractory gastroparesis remains to be defined.

Efficacy of gastric stimulator as an adjunct to pyloroplasty for gastroparesis: characterizing patients suitable for single procedure vs dual procedure approach

BACKGROUND

Pyloroplasty is an effective surgery for gastroparesis. However, some patients fail to improve after pyloric drainage and may require subsequent gastric electric stimulation. There is a paucity of data on the efficacy of gastric stimulator as an adjunct to failed pyloroplasty. This study aimed to describe our experience with pyloroplasty, determine the efficacy of gastric stimulator for failed pyloroplasty, and compare the final outcomes of those who required pyloroplasty with and without gastric stimulator for gastroparesis.

METHODS

Records of patients who underwent primary pyloroplasty for gastroparesis at our institution were reviewed. Patients with poor symptomatic improvement after pyloroplasty underwent subsequent gastric stimulator. Symptoms were assessed using the gastroparesis cardinal symptom index (GCSI) preoperatively and after each surgery. Severe gastroparesis was defined as GCSI total score ≥3. Outcomes were assessed after pyloroplasty in all patients and after stimulator in patients who failed pyloroplasty. Final outcomes were then compared between those who did and did not require adjunct gastric stimulator.

RESULTS

The study population consisted of 104 patients (89.4% females) with a mean (SD) age of 42.2 years (11) and body mass index of 26.9 kg/m2 (7). Gastroparesis etiologies were 71.2% idiopathic, 17.3% diabetic, and 11.5% postsurgical. At 18.7 months (12) after pyloroplasty, there was a decrease in the GCSI total score (3.5 [1] to 2.7 [1.2]; P = .0012) and the rate of severe gastroparesis (71.9%-29.3%; P < .0001). Gastric emptying scintigraphy (GES) 4-hour retention decreased (36.5 [24] to 15.3 [18]; P = .0003). Adjunct gastric stimulator was required by 30 patients (28.8%) owing to suboptimal outcomes with no improvement in GCSI (P = .201) or GES (P = .320). These patients were younger (40.5 [10.6] vs 49.6 [15.2] years; P = .0016), with higher baseline GCSI total scores (4.3 [0.7] vs 3.7 [1.1]; P < .001) and more severe gastroparesis (100% vs 55.6%; P < .001). All other preoperative characteristics were similar. At 21.7 months (15) after gastric stimulator, there was improvement in GCSI (4.1 [0.7] to 2.6 [1.1]; P < .0001), severe gastroparesis (100%-33.3%; P < .0001), and GES 4-hour retention (21.2 [22] to 7.6 [10]; P = .054). Before gastric stimulator, those who failed pyloroplasty had significantly worse GCSI (P = .0009) and GES (P = .048). However, after gastric stimulator, GCSI and GES improved and were comparable with those who only required pyloroplasty (P > .05).

CONCLUSION

Pyloroplasty improved gastroparesis symptoms and gastric emptying, yet 28% failed, requiring gastric stimulator. Younger patients and those with preoperative GCSI scores ≥3 were more likely to fail. Gastric stimulator improved outcomes after failed pyloroplasty, with comparable final GCSI and GES with those who did not fail.

Outcome of gastric electrical stimulator with and without pyloromyotomy for refractory gastroparesis

BACKGROUND

Surgical treatments of refractory gastroparesis include pyloromyotomy and gastric electrical stimulator (GES). It is unclear if patients may benefit from a combined approach with concomitant GES and pyloromyotomy.

METHODS

Retrospective cohort analysis of all patients with refractory gastroparesis treated with GES implantation with and without concomitant pyloromyotomy at Cleveland Clinic Florida from January 2003 to January 2023. Primary endpoint was efficacy (clinical response duration and success rate) and secondary endpoints included safety (postoperative morbidity) and length of stay. Success rate was defined as the absence of one of the following reinterventions during follow-up: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), pyloromyotomy, GES removal.

RESULTS

During a period of 20 years, 134 patients were treated with GES implantation. Three patients with history of previous surgical pyloromyotomy or RYGB were excluded from the analysis. Median follow-up was 31 months (IQR 10, 72). Forty patients (30.5%) had GES with pyloromyotomy, whereas 91 (69.5%) did not have pyloromyotomy. Most of the patients had idiopathic (n = 68, 51.9%) or diabetic (n = 58, 43.3%) gastroparesis. Except for preoperative use of opioids (47.5 vs 14.3%; p < 0.001), patient's characteristics were similar in both groups. There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of overall postoperative complications (17.5% vs 14.3%; p = 0.610), major postoperative complications (0% vs 2.2%; p = 1), and length of stay (2(IQR 1, 2) vs 2(IQR 1, 3) days; p = 0.068). At 5 years, success rate was higher in patients with than without pyloromyotomy however not statistically significant (82% versus 62%, p = 0.066). Especially patients with diabetic gastroparesis seemed to benefit from pyloromyotomy during GES (100% versus 67%, p = 0.053). In an adjusted Cox regression, GES implantation without pyloromyotomy was associated with a 2.66 times higher risk of treatment failure compared to GES implantation with pyloromyotomy (HR 2.66, 95% CI 1.03-6.94, p = 0.044).

CONCLUSION

Pyloromyotomy during GES implantation for gastroparesis seems to be associated with a longer clinical response with similar postoperative morbidity and length of hospital stay than GES without pyloromyotomy. Patient with diabetic gastroparesis might benefit from a combination of GES implantation and pyloromyotomy.

Endoscopic Management of Post-Sleeve Gastrectomy Complications

Obesity is associated with several chronic conditions including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and malignancy. Bariatric surgery, most commonly Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy, is an effective treatment modality for obesity and can improve associated comorbidities. Over the last 20 years, there has been an increase in the rate of bariatric surgeries associated with the growing obesity epidemic. Sleeve gastrectomy is the most widely performed bariatric surgery currently, and while it serves as a durable option for some patients, it is important to note that several complications, including sleeve leak, stenosis, chronic fistula, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, and gastroesophageal reflux disease, may occur. Endoscopic methods to manage post-sleeve gastrectomy complications are often considered due to the risks associated with a reoperation, and endoscopy plays a significant role in the diagnosis and management of post-sleeve gastrectomy complications. We perform a detailed review of the current endoscopic management of post-sleeve gastrectomy complications.

Role of gastric peroral endoscopic myotomy (GPOEM) in chronic gastroparesis management after pancreas transplantation

Gastroparesis is a common complaint among patients with diabetes. Symptoms tend to improve following successful pancreas transplantation (PTx), but persist despite euglycemia in a subset of patients. We aimed to assess the benefit of gastric peroral endoscopic myotomy (G-POEM) in persistent gastroparesis following PTx. This was a single center retrospective review of all patients who underwent G-POEM for persistent gastroparesis following PTx. Patient demographics, pre and post procedure perception of symptom severity according to the patient assessment of upper gastrointestinal symptoms severity index (PAGI-SYM), gastroparesis cardinal symptom index (GCSI) score, and 36-item short form survey (SF36) score along with gastric emptying scintigraphy (GES) were analyzed. Seven PTx recipients underwent G-POEM for persistent gastroparesis symptoms. The majority were female. All reported nausea/vomiting, abdominal pain, bloating, and post prandial fullness prior to G-POEM. The post procedure survey scores improved in all patients although this was not significant. The improvement in gastric emptying on GES was statistically significant. G-POEM is a relatively new treatment option for gastroparesis. While it requires specialized proceduralist and training, we have documented improvement in the management of symptoms. With increasing experience, we anticipate more significant benefit in post PTx patients with persistent symptoms of gastroparesis undergoing G-POEM.

Efficacy and Safety Analysis of Botox Application and Iatrogenic Botulism: Panacea or Peril?

Clostridium botulinum toxin-A (BoNT-A) creates temporary paralysis in the muscles by acting on the muscle-nerve junction. It is injected into the mimic muscles when a decrease in the movements of the mimic muscles is desired. Despite many favorable applications, the use of BoNT-A is not without drawbacks. Although there is no expected serious side effect on health in BoNT-A treatments, various problems can be encountered in patients treated for aesthetic purposes. Botulism is a rare but potentially life-threatening syndrome, which is caused by the toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, which acts on the nervous system, vegetative forms of C. botulinum can only survive in anaerobic conditions, while spore forms are common in nature and can withstand harsh conditions. Botulism can stem from bacterial spores which release toxin in the body; in the form of enteric botulism, and wound botulism. The cases that develop 'iatrogenic botulism' after such procedures are usually those receiving high-dose toxin for therapeutic purposes. The treatment of botulism mainly consists of anti-toxin therapy and, if necessary, intensive care to prevent organ failures, including respiratory support. This article aims to cover all these issues related to botulism and other adverse outcomes related to BoNT-A injection in light of the most recent literature.

Gastric per-oral endoscopic myotomy versus pyloric injection of botulinum toxin for the treatment of gastroparesis: our institutional experience and a systematic review of the literature

INTRODUCTION

Gastric Per-Oral Endoscopic Myotomy (GPOEM) has been developed as an effective treatment option for patients with medically refractory gastroparesis. Other endoscopic options, such as pyloric injection of botulinum toxin (Botox), is often performed with limited efficacy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate GPOEM for the treatment of gastroparesis and compare its efficacy to Botox injection results reported in the literature.

METHODS

A retrospective review was conducted to identify all patients who underwent a GPOEM for the treatment of gastroparesis between September 2018 and June 2022. Changes in Gastric Emptying Scintigraphy (GES) studies and Gastroparesis Cardinal Symptom (GCSI) scores from the preoperative to postoperative period were analyzed. In addition, a systematic review was conducted to identify all publications reporting the outcomes of Botox injections for the treatment of gastroparesis.

RESULTS

A total of 65 patients (51 female, 14 male) underwent a GPOEM during the study period. Twenty-eight patients (22 female, 6 male) had both preoperative and postoperative GES studies in addition to GCSI scores. The etiologies of gastroparesis were diabetic (n = 4), idiopathic (n = 18), and postsurgical (n = 6). Fifty percent of these patients had undergone previous failed interventions including Botox injections (n = 6), gastric stimulator placement (n = 2), and endoscopic pyloric dilation (n = 6). Outcomes showed a significant decrease in GES percentages (mean difference = - 23.5%, p < 0.001) and GCSI scores (mean difference = - 9.6, p = 0.02) postoperatively. In the systematic review for Botox, transient mean improvements in postoperative GES percentages and GCSI scores were reported at 10.1% and 4.0, respectively.

CONCLUSION

GPOEM leads to significant improvement in GES percentages and GCSI scores postoperatively and is superior to Botox injection results reported in the literature.