Gastroparesis

Abstract

Gastroparesis is defined as a delay of stomach emptying that can present as a variety of upper gastrointestinal symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, early satiety, bloating, abdominal pain, and weight loss. This chapter details the pathophysiology, symptoms, diagnostic evaluation, and dietary, pharmacological, and surgical treatment options. The three most important principles discussed in this chapter are the need for accurate diagnosis of the cause of upper GI symptoms and specifically confirmation of gastric emptying delay with scintigraphy or breath test, first-line therapy with dietary changes and available prokinetics, and the need to critically appraise the utility of pyloric interventions.