Delayed gastric emptying in the absence of mechanical obstruction is referred to as
gastroparesis. Symptoms that are often attributed to
gastroparesis include postprandial fullness,
nausea, and
vomiting. Although tests of gastric motor function may aid diagnostic labeling, their contribution to determining the treatment approach is often limited. Although clinical suspicion of
gastroparesis warrants the exclusion of mechanical causes and serum
electrolyte imbalances, followed by empirical treatment with a gastroprokinetic such as
domperidone or
metoclopramide, evidence that these drugs are effective for patients with
gastroparesis is far from overwhelming. In refractory cases with severe
weight loss, invasive
therapeutics such as inserting a feeding
jejunostomy tube, intrapyloric injection of
botulinum toxin, surgical (partial)
gastrectomy, and implantable gastric electrical stimulation are occasionally considered.