Safety and efficacy of high-dose acarbose treatment for dumping syndrome

Dumping syndrome (DS) is a complication of Nissen fundoplication. Dietary strategies can ameliorate symptoms, but this approach is not always foolproof. Limited evidence reports the efficacy of acarbose for children who are unresponsive to feeding manipulations. We report 8 patients with DS aged between 7 and 24 months. In 4 of 8 nutritional strategies failed, and acarbose treatment was started. The initial dose was 25 mg for meals, and increased until postprandial glucose was stable. In 3 of 4 children the final dose was higher than previously reported, without adverse effects. Acarbose is useful to treat DS in cases of failure of dietary strategies.