Gastric pacing as therapy for morbid obesity: Preliminary results

Background: A novel method to treat morbid obesity is presented-gastric electrical pacing. Following animal research, human investigation in a total of 24 patients in three cohorts began in 1995. Methods: Morbidly obese subjects (BMI greater than or equal to40) received electrical stimulation devices in 1995/6 (n=4), 1998 (n=10) and 2000 (n=10). Electrodes were positioned intramuscularly on the anterior gastric wall at the lesser curvature. BMI=body mass index; %EBL=% excess BMI (>25) lost. Results: Patients reported satiety for food with less food. The 2 patients from the first study followed for >5 years have achieved 38 and 67 %EBL. In the second study, every patient lost weight. At 36 months follow-up, the mean %EBL was 24+/-10 SD (n=10). Conclusions: Implantable gastric pacing is a safe procedure and causes changes in eating habits in morbidly obese humans, resulting in decreased food intake and weight loss.