Botulinum Toxin Pyloroplasty to Reduce Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting After Sleeve Gastrectomy
Status:
Unknown status
Trial end date:
2020-04-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
A common problem following sleeve gastrectomy surgery is called postoperative nausea and
vomiting (PONV). This problem is uncomfortable for patients, and can also lead to other
complications, including pneumonia. It is unclear what exactly causes this problem, but it
may be partly caused by slow emptying of the stomach. The current treatments for PONV include
medications, but these may only treat the symptoms. Botulinum toxin (BTX, brand name Botox®),
produced naturally by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum and adapted for medical use, is an
neurotransmitter inhibitor of the neuromuscular junction, and produces temporary muscular
paralysis. BTX is widely used in cosmetic and other medical applications. Injecting BTX into
the pylorus, which is the circular sphincter muscle at the end of the stomach, temporarily
paralyzes the muscle, leaving it wide open, and allowing stomach contents to flow through.
This effect lasts for several weeks, and then goes away. This may help prevent PONV.