Initial experience with endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty: technical success and reproducibility in the bariatric population.

Abstract

Novel endoscopic techniques have been developed as effective treatments for obesity. Recently, reduction of gastric volume via endoscopic placement of full-thickness sutures, termed endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG), has been described. Our aim was to evaluate the safety, technical feasibility, and clinical outcomes for ESG. Between August 2013 and May 2014, ESG was performed on 10 patients using an endoscopic suturing device. Their weight loss, waist circumference, and clinical outcomes were assessed. Mean patient age was 43.7 years and mean body mass index (BMI) was 45.2 kg/m(2). There were no significant adverse events noted. After 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months, excess weight loss of 18 %, 26 %, and 30 %, and mean weight loss of 11.5 kg, 19.4 kg, and 33.0 kg, respectively, were observed. The differences observed in mean BMI and waist circumference were 4.9 kg/m(2) (P = 0.0004) and 21.7 cm (P = 0.003), respectively. ESG is effective in achieving weight loss with minimal adverse events. This approach may provide a cost-effective outpatient procedure to add to the steadily growing armamentarium available for treatment of this significant epidemic.