GI Motility and Neurogastroenterology Clinical Care

Indiana University School of Medicine faculty physicians are the exclusive gastrointestinal (GI) and hepatology care providers at IU Health University Hospital, Eskenazi Health and the Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center in Indianapolis. Faculty experts treat swallowing disorders, eosinophilic esophagitis, peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) for achalasia and gastroparesis, gastric electrical stimulation for gastroparesis, small bowel motility disorder, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), constipation and fecal incontinence.

The GI Motility laboratory offers state-of-the-art diagnostic testing of the upper and lower GI tract, such as high-resolution esophageal manometry, pH-impedance monitoring, wireless Bravo pH testing, electrogastrography (EGG), endoFLIP distensibility testing of esophagus and pylorus, antroduodenal manometry, anorectal manometry/compliance and hydrogen breath test for SIBO and carbohydrate malabsorption. The GI Motility lab performed over 2,000 procedures in 2019.

Esophageal impedance manometry

Looking for Patient Care?

To reach the GI Motility Clinic, please call Indiana University Health at (317) 944-0980. To schedule an appointment with an IU School of Medicine faculty gastroenterologist, you may call that number, or use the Find a Provider portal.

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Specialized Treatment Programs

Gastric Electrical Stimulation

IU Health University Hospital is a state-of-the-art referral center for gastroparesis, a syndrome associated with a delay in stomach emptying. The most common causes are diabetes and surgical procedures injuring the vagus nerve. However, the cause is unknown in over 40% of adults with gastroparesis. Patients suffer from chronic nausea, vomiting, bloating, dehydration, and weight loss. In some patients, feeding tubes and IV nutrition are needed. IU School of Medicine faculty experts offer a unique multidisciplinary clinical and research approach in improving the lives of these patients. Gastric Electrical Stimulation Program

The gastric electrical stimulator (GES) is a device used for gastroparesis that delivers electrical pulses to the stomach muscles and stimulates the vagus nerve signals to the brain. In some patients, it can relieve nausea and vomiting that have not improved with dietary changes and medicine. A surgeon places the stimulator under the skin of the abdomen and two lead wires connect it to the stomach muscles. Initial settings are placed at this time but can be adjusted if needed.

The GES program is led by John Wo, MD, director of the GI Motility and Neurogastroenterology unit in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. The program collaborates with colleagues in GI psychology, laparoscopic surgery, the neuroscience autonomic lab, medical genetics, GI radiology, and GI neuromuscular pathology.

Gastric-Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy (G-POEM)

G-POEM is a minimally invasive procedure performed under general anesthesia to treat disorders of stomach emptying. During G-POEM, a thin, flexible tube is inserted into the stomach. An incision in the stomach to creates a tunnel in order to reach the tight pyloric muscle. Once the tunnel is created, an incision called myotomy is performed on the muscle. This myotomy helps enlarge this opening for food to pass freely into the small intestine. This procedure does not work on everyone, so it is important to explore all options.

Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM)

POEM is a minimally invasive procedure performed under general anesthesia to help treat swallowing disorders such achalasia and diffuse esophageal spasm. During POEM, a thin, flexible tube is inserted into the esophagus. An incision in the wall of the esophagus helps create a tunnel into the upper stomach. Using this tunnel, an incision (called myotomy) in the muscle of the lower esophagus enlarges the muscular opening (called a sphincter) for liquids and foods to pass easily into the stomach.