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Pacemakers designed to apply a repetitive electrical stimulus to the nerves in the stomach wall to regulate the rhythm of the gastric contractions. These devices consist of a battery-powered implantable electrical stimulator and appropriate leads with electrodes to connect the stimulator to the stomach muscles; they usually permit noninvasive reprogramming of pacing parameters following implantation using an external programmer. The stimulator is implanted beneath the skin in a subcutaneous pocket, using either laparoscopic or open-surgery procedures. Gastric pacemakers are mostly used to treat disorders characterized by slow food movement through the stomach (i.e., gastroparesis), alleviating chronic nausea and vomiting associated with the illness.
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