AI Article Synopsis
- - The study investigates the effects of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) on stomach muscle activity in patients after abdominal surgery to see if it can help prevent postoperative ileus (POI), a common complication of such surgeries.
- - Fourteen patients were monitored during surgery with electromyography to assess stomach muscle activity and gastrin levels before and after tVNS application, revealing significant changes in both metrics after stimulation.
- - Findings suggest that tVNS is a safe and effective method to enhance stomach muscle activity and may be beneficial for reducing the risk of POI, indicating its potential as a non-invasive treatment option.
Article Abstract
Purpose: Postoperative ileus (POI) is a common complication after abdominal surgery. Invasive stimulation of the cervical vagus nerve is known to reduce inflammatory response and ameliorated POI after surgery in a mouse model. However, the transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) is a possible non-invasive approach. In this clinical study, we aimed to investigate the effect of tVNS on the activation of the stomach muscle in humans.
Methods: Patients requiring open laparotomy were screened for this prospective proof of concept clinical study. After open laparotomy, muscle activity of the stomach was measured by a free running electromyography (EMG) before and during tVNS on the ear. Frequency and amplitude of compound gastric action potentials were the electrophysiological parameters we assessed to reveal the changes in electro motor gastric activity. Gastrin levels as a surrogate marker for vagus nerve activation was analyzed before, 1 and 3 h after tVNS.
Results: Fourteen patients were included, no severe adverse events and no medical device related adverse events occurred. tVNS led to significant reduction of action potential frequency and significant elevation of action potential amplitude in the stomach compared to control. Gastrin levels were significantly elevated 3 h after tVNS compared to levels before tVNS.
Conclusion: Application of tVNS is a safe and feasible procedure during surgical intervention. Our results provide evidence that tVNS activates efferent visceral vagal fibers. Therefore, this low risk and easy to perform method could be useful to prevent postoperative ileus.
Clinical Trial Register Number: DRKS00013340.
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| http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00384-018-3204-6 | DOI Listing |
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