Gastroparesis and G-POEM: The revolution without scars

Gastroparesis is a chronic digestive disorder where the stomach takes much longer than normal to empty food, without any physical blockage like a tumor obstructing it. Imagine your stomach is a blender: normally it grinds food and pushes it into the intestine. In gastroparesis, that blender runs in slow motion or stops, and the exit "door" (the pylorus) doesn't open when it should.

This causes food to stagnate, ferment, and cause very annoying symptoms that can completely alter your quality of life. It is not just "indigestion," it is a real medical condition.

Why does it happen? The main causes

We don't always know the exact cause, but the main culprits are usually:

1. Diabetes (Most common known)

High blood sugar over years damages the vagus nerve, which is the "wire" that tells the stomach when to move.

2. Idiopathic (Unknown cause)

This is the largest group. It happens without an apparent reason, sometimes following a strong viral stomach infection.

3. Post-surgical

Accidental damage to the vagus nerve during stomach or esophageal surgeries (such as operations for reflux or ulcers).

4. Drugs

Medications like opioids or new injectables for diabetes/obesity (GLP-1 agonists) can slow down the stomach.

What does it feel like? Symptoms and the GCSI index

Classic symptoms are a warning sign that the stomach is not emptying:

Constant nausea
Vomiting (sometimes food from hours ago)
Early satiety (full after two bites)
Painful abdominal bloating

How do we measure severity? The GCSI

Doctors use a tool called the GCSI (Gastroparesis Cardinal Symptom Index). It is basically a validated survey that scores from 0 to 5 how bad you feel in three areas: nausea/vomiting, fullness after eating, and bloating.

This is crucial because, to know if a treatment like G-POEM works, we look for your score on this index to drop drastically.

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The advanced solution: What is G-POEM?

This is where advanced endoscopy technology comes in. G-POEM (Gastric Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy) is a minimally invasive procedure that we perform entirely through the mouth, without making a single cut on your abdominal skin.

How does it work? The door analogy

Imagine the pylorus (the stomach exit) is a door with a very strong spring that is stuck and won't let food out. With G-POEM, we go in with a camera, create a tunnel under the stomach's internal "skin," and cut that muscular spring (the pyloric sphincter). By cutting it, the door stays permanently open, and food can fall into the intestine by gravity, relieving your symptoms.

G-POEM technical sequence: pyloric ring, muscle cut and closure — G-POEM procedure sequence: Pylorus identification, myotomy (muscle cut), and tunnel closure.

Does it really work? The scientific evidence (2026 Data)

We don't rely on opinions, but on data. The most recent studies, including high-level clinical trials, show very hopeful results for patients who no longer responded to medication.

71%

Clinical Success Rate

Compared to only 22% in patients who received a sham procedure (placebo). The difference is overwhelming [1].

89%

Success in Diabetics

Patients with diabetic gastroparesis respond best to treatment [1, 2].

Success rates by cause [2-4]:

Diabetic Gastroparesis 65-89%

Post-surgical Gastroparesis 70%

Idiopathic Gastroparesis 60%

*Success defined as significant symptom improvement and reduction of GCSI index at one-year follow-up.

Both the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) and the American College (ACG) already consider G-POEM a valid and effective option for selected patients, always warning that patient selection is key [2, 6].

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Dr. Pedro de María in the operating room after a successful procedure

A personal touch

Gastroparesis can be desperate. I have seen patients who have gone years without being able to enjoy a meal with their family. What I am most passionate about with G-POEM is seeing how, with an intervention of barely an hour and no external wounds, we can restore that quality of life. It's not magic, it's technique and precision, but the results often feel magical to the patient.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is G-POEM recovery painful?

Generally not. Since there are no external skin incisions, pain is minimal. Most patients feel mild throat or stomach discomfort that is well managed with mild analgesics.

How long will I be hospitalized?

The hospital stay is usually very short, typically 24 to 48 hours to ensure you tolerate a liquid diet well before going home.

If I have diabetes, will this cure my diabetes?

No, G-POEM treats gastroparesis (the stomach emptying problem), not diabetes. However, by eating better and vomiting less, it is usually easier to control your blood sugar levels after the operation.

Tired of feeling like your stomach isn't working?

Let's evaluate together if you are a candidate for G-POEM and get back the pleasure of eating.

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