Implantable electrical gastric stimulation to treat morbid obesity in the human: operative technique.

BACKGROUND

The surgery to place the implantable gastric stimulator (IGS) is described.

METHODS

There are two implantable components to the IGS. One is the electrical stimulator itself, which is placed in the anterior abdominal wall. It is connected to a bipolar lead that is positioned in the muscle wall of the stomach. We describe the procedure that is necessary to safely place the components.

RESULTS

4 patients have been implanted using techniques that were developed and refined around the world. There were no operative deaths. All procedures were successfully completed laparoscopically. Two (2/4) connections required revision because the leads were not fully inserted into the header of the generator.

CONCLUSIONS

The operation to implant the IGS is safe and simple to perform. Attention to technical details is essential.