Abstract Purpose of Review This review explores the role of neurostimulation in the treatment of disorders of gut-brain interaction, gastroparesis, and chronic constipation. Specific neurostimulation methods including gastric electrical stimulation, percutaneous electrical nerve field stimulation, direct sacral nerve stimulation, posterior tibial nerve stimulation, and transcutaneous parasacral nerve stimulation will be highlighted and discussed. This article also evaluates the safety and efficacy of neurostimulation techniques as well as limitations of existing studies in the literature. Recent Findings Growing evidence suggests that neurostimulation is effective in improving a wide of gastrointestinal symptoms including nausea, abdominal pain, constipation, and fecal incontinence. Despite these encouraging results, important questions remain regarding the optimal frequency, duration, and long-term use of these therapies. Summary Neurostimulation is emerging as a promising technology in the management of pediatric gastrointestinal disorders. Current research indicates that the major forms of neurostimulation are generally effective and safe, with noninvasive transcutaneous methods offering particularly strong safety profiles. These therapies provide the added advantage of targeted treatment while minimizing the systemic side effects commonly associated with pharmacologic interventions. As safety profiles improve, physicians are increasingly utilizing neurostimulation in the management of gastrointestinal disorders especially in patients with refractory disorders of gut-brain interaction.
Weigle et al. (Fri,) studied this question.