Bob is one of four patients who have experienced successful suppression of intractable hiccups, believed to be of neurological origin after being afflicted for periods of up to 13 years. This was accomplished by implantation of breathing pacemakers of our design and manufacture, which control the diaphragm by electrical stimulation of the phrenic nerve. Two more long-term hiccups patients have recently been implanted, but it is too soon to report the results. Hiccups in all six patients could not be relieved by any pharmacological regimen, including the use of baclofen. Hiccups generally stop as soon as stimulation begins and return within 15 seconds when stimulation is discontinued.
Unilateral stimulation suppresses ipsilateral hiccups, and has some effect on contralateral hiccups.
Although serious hiccups often interfere with breathing, this technique of electrical stimulation does not seem to interfere with normal respiration. Unlike a phrenic nerve crush or section, the procedure is reversible at the flip of a switch. The receivers and electrodes are completely passive, containing no batteries. Unlike pharmacological alternatives, there are no known systemic side effects. The Mark IV breathing pacemakers we employ have received full PMA approval from the United States FDA and CE mark certification, and have been approved by HCFA for reimbursement by Medicare in both inpatient and ambulatory surgery settings.