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Does the Enterra Device Cure Gastroparesis?

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No, Gastric Electrical Stimulation (the Enterra device) does not cure gastroparesis or return digestion to normal speeds. Instead, it acts as a symptom controller that delivers electrical pulses to the stomach nerves to reduce severe nausea and vomiting.

Key Takeaways

  • • The Enterra device does not cure gastroparesis or significantly speed up stomach emptying.
  • • It primarily acts as a symptom controller to reduce severe, medication-resistant nausea and vomiting.
  • • The device works by sending electrical pulses to stomach nerves to change how nausea signals are processed in the brain.
  • • Patients with diabetic gastroparesis often experience better relief from the Enterra device than those with idiopathic gastroparesis.
  • • If your goal is to speed up digestion, procedures like G-POEM or pyloroplasty are more effective options.

No, Gastric Electrical Stimulation (commonly known as the Enterra device) does not cure gastroparesis [1][2]. It is also highly unlikely to make your stomach digest food at a normal speed again [3][4].

While it is frequently referred to as a “gastric pacemaker,” this nickname is actually quite misleading. A heart pacemaker forces the heart muscle to pump. The Enterra device, however, does not force your paralyzed stomach muscles to squeeze [5][6]. Instead, it acts as a symptom controller that primarily targets severe nausea and vomiting in patients who have not responded to standard medications (a condition known as refractory gastroparesis) [7][8].

How the Enterra Device Works

Instead of physically pushing food through your digestive tract, the Enterra device delivers high-frequency, low-energy electrical pulses to the stomach wall [7][9]. You cannot feel these electrical pulses buzzing or shocking you during your daily life [10].

These pulses interact with the nerves in your stomach—particularly the vagus nerve—which sends signals to the nausea centers in your brain [11][12]. By changing how these nerve signals are processed, the device can effectively “turn down the volume” on nausea and vomiting, even if the food in your stomach is still emptying very slowly [11][13].

Impact on Nutrition and Other Symptoms

A common question from patients is whether the device will help with other symptoms like severe bloating or malnutrition. The Enterra device does not directly target or significantly improve bloating [7]. However, because it often successfully reduces severe nausea and vomiting, many patients find they are able to comfortably eat and keep more food down [14]. Over time, this can lead to improved nutritional status, weight stabilization, and even a reduced reliance on feeding tubes (such as J-tubes) [14][15][8].

Research shows that patients with diabetic gastroparesis often experience better and longer-lasting symptom relief from the Enterra device compared to those with idiopathic gastroparesis (gastroparesis with an unknown cause) [16][17][18].

The Surgical Procedure and Risks

Receiving the Enterra device requires a surgical procedure. A surgeon typically uses a minimally invasive (laparoscopic) approach to attach two small wires, called leads, to the muscular wall of your stomach [2][14]. These wires are connected to a small battery generator that is implanted just under the skin of your abdomen [2].

As with any surgery, there are risks involved. Potential complications include infection at the surgical site, pain near the implanted battery, or the wires migrating out of place over time [19][20]. Additionally, the device runs on a battery that will eventually run out, meaning you will need a minor surgical procedure in the future to replace the battery generator [10].

Availability and Insurance

The Enterra device was approved by the FDA under a Humanitarian Device Exemption (HDE) [21][22]. This designation is given to medical devices intended to treat rare conditions. Because of this special status, the device is generally only available at specialized medical centers, and securing insurance coverage can sometimes require extra paperwork, prior authorizations, or appeals.

If Your Goal is Faster Digestion

Because the Enterra device is used for symptom management rather than reversing the underlying disease, it is not the right choice if your main goal is to speed up gastric emptying [1][23].

If you are looking for treatments that actively help food empty from the stomach faster, you and your doctor might discuss procedures that target the pyloric sphincter (the valve at the bottom of the stomach). Treatments such as a G-POEM (Gastric Per-Oral Endoscopic Myotomy) or a pyloroplasty have been shown to improve both symptoms and actual emptying times in some patients [24][25][26].

In some cases, doctors even combine pylorus-directed surgeries with the Enterra device to address both the physical emptying of the stomach and the neurological sensation of nausea [25][26].

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Enterra device speed up digestion?
No, the Enterra device is highly unlikely to make your stomach digest food at a normal speed. It acts as a symptom controller rather than a way to physically push food through your digestive tract.
What gastroparesis symptoms does the Enterra device treat?
It primarily targets severe nausea and vomiting in patients who have not responded to standard medications. It does not directly improve bloating, though reducing nausea often helps patients eat more comfortably.
Are there alternatives to Enterra for faster stomach emptying?
If your main goal is to speed up stomach emptying, procedures like a G-POEM or pyloroplasty might be better options. These treatments target the pyloric sphincter at the bottom of the stomach to help food empty faster.
Will I need future surgeries after getting the Enterra device?
Yes. The device runs on a battery that will eventually run out. When this happens, you will need a minor surgical procedure to replace the battery generator under the skin.
Is the Enterra device covered by insurance?
Because the Enterra device is approved under a Humanitarian Device Exemption for rare conditions, securing coverage can require extra paperwork, prior authorizations, or an appeals process through your specialized medical center.

Questions for Your Doctor

  • • Given my specific gastric emptying study results and symptoms, am I a better candidate for an Enterra device or a procedure that opens the pylorus, like a G-POEM?
  • • How many Enterra devices has your surgical team implanted, and what is your center's typical complication rate?
  • • If the Enterra device successfully reduces my nausea, what kind of nutritional improvements or weight stabilization can we realistically expect?
  • • What is the process for adjusting the electrical settings on the device after it is implanted to ensure it is working optimally?
  • • How does your office handle the insurance approval process for an HDE (Humanitarian Device Exemption) device?

Questions for You

  • • Which of my symptoms is truly the most debilitating right now—severe nausea and vomiting, or severe bloating and fullness?
  • • Am I prepared for a surgical implant that carries risks like infection, and will eventually require future minor surgeries for battery replacements?
  • • How has my condition responded to standard anti-nausea medications and diet changes so far?
  • • Is my primary goal to relieve the daily sensation of nausea, or is it specifically to make my stomach mechanically empty faster?

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References

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    Neurogastroenterology and motility 2019; (31(12)):e13714 doi:10.1111/nmo.13714.

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    Wisconsin's Enterra Therapy Experience: A multi-institutional review of gastric electrical stimulation for medically refractory gastroparesis.

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    Surgery 2018; (164(4)):760-765 doi:10.1016/j.surg.2018.04.043.

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    Does etiology of gastroparesis determine clinical outcomes in gastric electrical stimulation treatment of gastroparesis?

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This page explains Gastric Electrical Stimulation (Enterra) for educational purposes. Always consult your gastroenterologist or surgeon to determine if this device is right for your specific symptoms and condition.

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