USGI’s New Incisionless Endolumenal Bariatric Surgery

USGI’s New Incisionless Endolumenal Bariatric Surgery

When you consider the traditional bariatric surgery for weight loss you will note that there is a necessary incision to do the job. This incision has some worried about the invasive nature of the procedure, the potential for infection and the potential side effects. Avoiding the incision could change the way that the surgery is done, the potential complications and the recovery time.

Advances in medical technology have brought USGI’s new incision less endolumenal bariatric surgery to the forefront in bariatric surgery procedure. Endoscopic bariatric surgery through the mouth is accomplished by utilizing a g-Cath EZ Delivery Catheter with Snowshoe Suture Anchors to tie up the stomach. The stomach is made smaller so that the patient can only put a certain amount of food in the stomach before feeling full. This is an important part to major weight loss along with following a new lifestyle.

Trials have been undertaken with 332 participating patients in 11 hospitals throughout the United States to see how well the procedure works. The patients will undergo the surgery and be monitored for the following two years to see how the process works for them.

The procedure, termed the POSE procedure has been in studies in Europe already. In fact, more than 2,500 patients have participated and found that it worked very well for them. They were able to return to regular life within days of the procedure. Many patients had lost 62% of their excess body weight one year after the procedure. These numbers are very impressive and will mean good things to those that follow. This incisionless platform allows for faster recovery times and makes the burden on hospitals and for follow up less than the standard bariatric surgery.

The devices used to do the procedure have already been approved in the United States and in Europe. The results of the study will be shared with the FDA in hopes of an approval to utilize the procedure more widely. This could mean big changes for those patients that want help finding a solution to their weight loss issues and not able to obtain health insurance approval. Many are not eligible for coverage due to the current bariatric surgery status of being an incision surgery. This incisionless option could make bring the choices to the hands of many patients.

If the technology is successful patients will be able to experience resources that would have previously been out of reach for them due to cost and the nature of the procedure. The success of the incisionless surgery can spell big advantages all around. It means shorter hospital stays, far less pain and discomfort to the patients, reduced risk in major infections to the wound, and no scars for the participants after the procedure.

The patients participating in the vital study throughout the United States will be monitored for a one year period after which time the results will be recorded as being success or failure. These are the bits of information and vital data that will determine whether the FDA approves of the use of this type of procedure for bariatric surgery or not. This procedure could change the number of patients that a surgeon can help in a determined amount of time as well. That makes it easier for the professional to get more people the treatment that could change their lives and in severe obesity conditions, potentially save lives.