Gastric Electrical Stimulation is an Effective Treatment Modality for Symptoms of GERD in Patients With Gastroparesis and VACTERL Association

Abstract

Patients with VACTERL Association have multiple gastrointestinal comorbidities extending into adulthood. The term VACTERL stands for vertebral defects, anal atresia, cardiac defects, tracheo-esophageal fistula (TEF) with or without esophageal atresia (EA), renal anomalies, and limb abnormalities. Symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), such as heartburn and acid regurgitation, are common in this population, and patients with EA have a higher risk. Multiple therapies have been suggested to treat symptoms of GERD in patients with gastroparesis and VACTERL Association, including acid suppression therapy and treating the underlying gastroparesis. If left untreated, patients who had EA can experience severe complications, including erosive esophagitis, Barrett’s esophagus (BE), peptic strictures, esophageal cancer, and decrease in quality of life. We present 2 cases of patients with VACTERL Association with prior EA, gastroparesis and underlying symptoms of GERD that were successfully treated with gastric electrical stimulation (GES).