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Abstract

Background Bariatric surgery is associated with sustainable weight loss and lower mortality. Presently, these procedures can be performed endoscopically. Among endoscopic procedures, endoscopic gastric plication (EGP) is the most studied but has not yet been compared among its variations. Method Studies were identified by searching database and reference lists. They would be eligible if they were conducted in adult patients with obesity, did not involve revision, compared EGP and controls, and reported at least 1-year weight loss results. The interventions of interest were endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG), primary obesity surgery endoluminal (POSE), and transoral gastroplasty (TOGA). The primary outcome was the percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL). From network meta-analysis, treatment comparisons between each intervention were estimated. The interventions were further ranked in terms of maximizing weight loss or minimizing severe adverse events (SAEs). Results Significant %EWLs from ESG and POSE versus control were observed at 12 months with pooled mean differences (MDs) and 95% CI of 44.7% (27.95%, 61.45%) and 16.29% (0.32%, 32.26%), respectively. The results also indicated that ESG was more efficacious than POSE [MD (95% CI): 28.41% (5.27%, 51.56%)] and TOGA [MD (95% CI): 36% (11.38%, 60.62%)]. For SAEs, ESG, POSE, and TOGA yielded relative risks (95% CI) of 2.81 (0.14, 56.85), 2.15 (0.13, 36.48), and 3.26 (0.07, 153.3), respectively, compared with the control. Conclusions ESG was the best EGP, followed by POSE and TOGA. No significant increase in SAE was indicated from EGP. This network meta-analysis must be updated when more data are available.

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Introduction Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) is a novel endoscopic bariatric therapy that complements current medical and surgical therapeutic offerings for weight management and fills an unmet need. Few meta-analyses compared ESG to laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). However, these studies relied on indirect evidence derived from non-comparative studies. Comparative effectiveness data derived from direct comparative studies is needed. We performed a meta-analysis of studies that directly compared ESG with LSG. Methods A comprehensive search of PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases was conducted. Single-arm studies were excluded. Pooled mean difference (MD) and risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were obtained within a random-effect model. Results Seven studies with 6,775 patients (3,413 with ESG vs. 3,362 with LSG) were included. There were significant differences in 6-month (MD − 7.48; 95% CI − 10.44, − 4.52; P < 0.00001), 12-month (MD − 9.90; 95% CI − 10.59, − 9.22; P < 0.00001), and 24-month (MD − 7.63; 95% CI − 11.31, − 3.94; P < 0.0001) TBWL% favoring LSG over ESG. There was a trend toward lower incidence of adverse events with ESG compared to LSG but did not reach statistical significance (RR 0.51, 95% CI 0.23–1.11, P = 0.09). The incidence of new-onset gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was significantly lower after ESG compared to LSG, 1.3% vs. 17.9%, respectively (RR 0.10, 95% CI 0.02–0.53, P = 0.006). Conclusions ESG achieved clinically adequate but lower short- and mid-term weight loss when compared to LSG, with fewer adverse events, including GERD. Given the stomach-sparing nature of ESG and acceptable safety profile, it provides an acceptable alternative to LSG for patients with mild-to-moderate obesity. Graphical abstract
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Article
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Article
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The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement, published in 2009, was designed to help systematic reviewers transparently report why the review was done, what the authors did, and what they found. Over the past decade, advances in systematic review methodology and terminology have necessitated an update to the guideline. The PRISMA 2020 statement replaces the 2009 statement and includes new reporting guidance that reflects advances in methods to identify, select, appraise, and synthesise studies. The structure and presentation of the items have been modified to facilitate implementation. In this article, we present the PRISMA 2020 27-item checklist, an expanded checklist that details reporting recommendations for each item, the PRISMA 2020 abstract checklist, and the revised flow diagrams for original and updated reviews.
Article
Objective Endoscopic suture gastroplasty (ESG) has been developed as an alternative treatment for moderately obese patients. We present our results of a short-term randomised controlled trial on a new suturing technique, the Endomina system (E-ESG, Endo Tools therapeutics, Belgium). Design Eligible patients (body mass index 30–40 kg/m ² ) were randomised in a 2:1 ratio to receive lifestyle modification plus E-ESG or lifestyle modification alone (control group); dietetic counselling and follow-up were identical. Endpoints included a mean excess weight loss (EWL) of more than 25% 12 months after E-ESG and a 15% EWL difference at 6 months between groups. At 6 months, a cross-over to E-ESG was offered to the control group. All patients were followed for a total of 12 months after E-ESG. Results Of the 71 patients included (five male, mean age 40 years), mean EWL at 6 months was significantly higher in the treatment (38.6%, n=45) than in the control group (13.4%, n=21; p<0.001). At 6 months, satiety tests demonstrated a higher decrease in mean volume (41% vs 2.5%, p<0.001), and mean quality of life (QoL) was also higher in the treatment group (52.8 vs 45.1 p<0.05). No procedure-related or device-related severe adverse events were observed. Twelve months follow-up after E-ESG showed a mean EWL of 45.1%, which translated into a total body weight loss of 11.8%. Conclusions This study demonstrates that E-ESG is safe and effective, providing a 25% better EWL at 6 months than lifestyle modification alone. This weight loss was maintained and resulted in a significant improvement in QoL up to 18 months after treatment. Trial registration number NCT03255005 .
Article
Background The comparative efficacy of bariatric endoscopic procedures has not been completely elucidated. We aimed to comprehensively evaluate the efficacy of bariatric endoscopic procedures. Methods We searched for randomized controlled trials investigating the efficacy of bariatric endoscopic procedures, including the use of an intragastric balloon, duodenal-jejunal bypass liner (DJBL), aspiration therapy, primary obesity surgery endoluminal (POSE) procedure, and botulinum toxin injection to the stomach. Network meta-analyses were performed to determine the percentage of weight loss (%weight loss) and percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL). Results 22 studies with 2141 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Most endoscopic procedures showed superior efficacy in terms of %weight loss compared with the control (mean difference [MD] [95 % confidence interval (CI)]: aspiration therapy 10.4 % [7.0 % to 13.7 %]; fluid-filled balloon 5.3 % [3.4 % to 7.2 %]; POSE 4.9 % [1.7 % to 8.2 %]; and DJBL 4.5 % [1.4 % to 7.7 %]). In terms of %EWL, aspiration therapy, fluid-filled balloon, POSE, and DJBL were superior to the control (MD [95 %CI]: 27.3 % [15.3 % to 39.3 %]; 22.4 % [15.4 % to 29.4 %]; 15.3 % [2.5 % to 28.0 %]; and 13.0 % [4.9 % to 21.2], respectively). The gas-filled balloon and botulinum toxin injection did not show a significant difference in %weight loss or %EWL compared with the control. For the fluid-filled balloon, the %EWL and %weight loss tended to decrease after balloon removal at 6 months after the procedure. Conclusion All bariatric endoscopic procedures, except for gas-filled balloon and botulinum toxin injection to the stomach, showed superior short-term efficacy in terms of %weight loss or %EWL compared with lifestyle modification.
Article
Background: Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) has gained momentum as a promising, minimally invasive bariatric therapy worldwide. Objective: We performed the first comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of studies to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and procedural technique of ESG. Methods: Bibliographic databases were systematically searched for studies assessing patients who underwent ESG for the treatment of obesity. Studies were included if they reported percent total weight loss or percent excess weight loss and the incidence of serious adverse events. Studies with <15 patients, follow-up period <6 months, and overlapping patients were excluded. Results: Eight observational studies with 1859 patients were included. Pooled mean percent total weight loss at 6, 12, and 24 months was 14.86 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 13.83-15.90), 16.43 (95%CI: 15.23-17.63), and 20.01 (95%CI: 16.92-23.11), respectively. Pooled mean percent excess weight loss at 6, 12, and 24 months was 55.75 (95%CI: 50.61-60.89), 61.84 (95%CI: 54.75-68.93), and 60.40 (95%CI: 48.88-71.92), respectively. The pooled incidence of serious adverse events was 2.26% (95%CI 1.25-4.03) and no mortality was reported. Gastrointestinal bleeding and perigastric fluid collection were the most common reported serious adverse events; however, the pooled incidence of both was <1%. Variations in procedural technique were seen, but the full-thickness nature of suturing was reported in all studies. A layer of reinforcement sutures was performed in the majority of studies (n = 6). Limitations include the lack of controlled studies, long-term follow-up data, and standardization of technique. Conclusion: ESG, a minimally invasive bariatric therapy, is reproducible among centers worldwide with effective weight loss and favorable safety profile outcomes. Controlled studies would be valuable to further corroborate these findings.
Article
Background and aims: Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) is a safe and effective minimally invasive bariatric procedure. This study compared weight loss in patients undergoing ESG with that of matched patients undergoing high-intensity diet and lifestyle therapy (HIDLT). Methods: In this case-matched study, patients were matched 2/3:1 (HIDLT:ESG) by age, sex, and body mass index (BMI). 105 patients (30 male) who underwent ESG + low-intensity diet and lifestyle therapy (LIDLT) between 2016 and 2018 were compared with 281 patients (92 males) who underwent HIDLT at the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions in 2013 to 2014. Weight was evaluated 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after beginning HIDLT or post-ESG to determine the mean percent total body weight loss (%TBWL). Results: Mean age across both cohorts was 48.0 ± 12.1 and baseline BMI was 40.0 ± 7.7 kg/m2. In multivariable analysis controlling for age, sex, and baseline BMI, the mean %TBWL at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months was significantly higher in patients undergoing ESG than matched patients undergoing HIDLT. Specifically, at 3 months, the mean TBWL in the ESG cohort was 14.0% compared with 11.3% in the HIDLT cohort (p <0.011), and at 12 months, the mean TBWL in the ESG cohort was 20.6% versus 14.3% in the HIDLT cohort (p <0.001). ESG patients with baseline BMI ≤40 kg/m2 continued to show significantly greater %TBWL than those of the same BMI group in the HIDLT group at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after intervention (3 month: Coeff.: 3.43 (p <0.001), 12 month: Coeff.: 8.14 (p <0.001). Conclusions: Through 12 months of follow-up, patients who underwent ESG achieved significantly greater weight loss than patients enrolled in HIDLT. ESG appears to be a valuable alternative for patients who experience difficulty adhering to HIDLT.
Article
Assessment of risk of bias is regarded as an essential component of a systematic review on the effects of an intervention. The most commonly used tool for randomised trials is the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. We updated the tool to respond to developments in understanding how bias arises in randomised trials, and to address user feedback on and limitations of the original tool.
Article
Background and aims: Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) reduces the gastric lumen to a size comparable to that of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). Yet, there is a paucity of research comparing outcomes between the 2 procedures. Our study compared the 6-month weight loss outcomes and adverse events of ESG with LSG in a case-matched cohort. Methods: Retrospective review of prospectively collected data for patients undergoing ESG or LSG at a single academic center. Weight was recorded at 1 and 6 months postprocedure and percent total body weight loss (%TBWL) was calculated. Adverse events and new-onset GERD were also recorded. Results: A total of 54 ESG patients were matched to 83 LSG patients by age, sex, and body mass index (BMI). The proportion of patients with GERD at baseline was similar in the 2 groups (16.7% in ESG group vs 25.3% in LSG group, p =0.27. At 6-month follow-up, %TBWL (compared with baseline) was significantly lower in the ESG group compared with the LSG group (17.1% ± 6.5 vs 23.6% ±7.6, p < 0.01). ESG patients had significantly lower rate of adverse events compared with LSG patients (5.2% vs 16.9%, p < 0.05). New-onset GERD was also significantly lower in the ESG group compared with the LSG group (1.9% vs 14.5%, p < 0.05). Conclusions: ESG, a minimally invasive same-day procedure, achieved less weight loss at 6 months than LSG, with the caveat that LSG caused more adverse events and new onset GERD than ESG.
Article
Objective: Evaluate safety and efficacy of the pose™ procedure for obesity treatment. Methods: Subjects with Class I to II obesity were randomized (2:1) to receive active or sham procedure, after each investigator performed unblinded lead-in cases. All subjects were provided low-intensity lifestyle therapy. Efficacy end points were the mean difference in percent total body weight loss (%TBWL) at 12 months between randomized groups, and responder rate achieving ≥5% TBWL. The primary safety end point was incidence of reported adverse events. Results: Three hundred thirty-two subjects were randomized (active, n = 221; sham, n = 111); thirty-four subjects were included in the unblinded lead-in cohort. Twelve-month results were mean TBWL 7.0 ± 7.4% in lead-in, 4.95 ± 7.04% in active, and 1.38 ± 5.58% in sham groups, respectively. Responder rate was 41.55% in active and 22.11% in sham groups, respectively (P < 0.0001); mean responder result was 11.5% TBWL. The differences observed between active and sham groups for co-primary end points were statistically significant (P < 0.0001); however, super superiority margin as set forth in the study design was not met. No unanticipated adverse events or deaths occurred. Procedure-related serious adverse event rates were 5.0% (active) and 0.9% (sham), P = 0.068. Conclusions: The pose procedure was safe and resulted in statistically significant and clinically meaningful weight loss over sham through 1 year.
Article
The epidemic in obesity has led to an increase in number of so called bariatric procedures. Doctors are less comfortable managing an obese patient after bariatric surgery. Peri-operative mortality is less than 1%. The specific feature in the obese patient is that the classical signs of peritoneal irritation are never present as there is no abdominal wall and therefore no guarding or rigidity. Simple post-operative tachycardia in obese patients should be taken seriously as it is a WARNING SIGNAL. The most common complication after surgery is peritonitis due to anastomotic fistula formation. This occurs typically as an early complication within the first 10 days post-operatively and has an incidence of 1 to 6% after gastric bypass and 3 to 7% after sleeve gastrectomy. Post-operative malnutrition is extremely rare after restrictive surgery (ring, sleeve gastrectomy) although may occur after mal absorbative surgery (bypass, biliary pancreatic shunt) and is due to the restriction and change in absorption. Prophylactic cholecystectomy is not routinely carried out during the same procedure as the bypass. Superior mesenteric vein thrombosis after bariatric surgery is a diagnosis which should be considered in the presence of any postoperative abdominal pain. Initially a first etiological assessment is performed (measurement of antithrombin III and of protein C and protein S, testing for activated protein C resistance). if the least doubt is present, a medical or surgical consultation should be requested with a specialist practitioner in the management of obese patients as death rates increase with delayed diagnosis.
Article
A group of 200 morbidly obese men (average weight, 143.5 kg; age, 23 to 70 years) were admitted to a weight control program between 1960 and 1977 and were followed up for a mean period of 7 1/2 years. There was complete follow-up until the termination of the study or until death for 185 men. Fifteen men were followed up for fractional periods. Fifty of the 200 died during the course of the study. Life-table techniques, comparing the mortality among the obese with that among men in the general population, demonstrated a 12-fold excess mortality in the obese in the age group 25 to 34 years and a sixfold excess in the age group 35 to 44 years. This ratio diminished with advancing age. Cardiovascular disease was reported as the cause of death more frequently and malignancies less frequently than they were for men in the US general population.(JAMA 243:443-445, 1980)
Article
This study tested the hypothesis that weight-reduction (bariatric) surgery reduces long-term mortality in morbidly obese patients. Obesity is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. The impact of surgically induced, long-term weight loss on this mortality is unknown. We used an observational 2-cohort study. The treatment cohort (n = 1035) included patients having undergone bariatric surgery at the McGill University Health Centre between 1986 and 2002. The control group (n = 5746) included age- and gender-matched severely obese patients who had not undergone weight-reduction surgery identified from the Quebec provincial health insurance database. Subjects with medical conditions (other then morbid obesity) at cohort-inception into the study were excluded. The cohorts were followed for a maximum of 5 years from inception. The cohorts were well matched for age, gender, and duration of follow-up. Bariatric surgery resulted in significant reduction in mean percent excess weight loss (67.1%, P < 0.001). Bariatric surgery patients had significant risk reductions for developing cardiovascular, cancer, endocrine, infectious, psychiatric, and mental disorders compared with controls, with the exception of hematologic (no difference) and digestive diseases (increased rates in the bariatric cohort). The mortality rate in the bariatric surgery cohort was 0.68% compared with 6.17% in controls (relative risk 0.11, 95% confidence interval 0.04-0.27), which translates to a reduction in the relative risk of death by 89%. This study shows that weight-loss surgery significantly decreases overall mortality as well as the development of new health-related conditions in morbidly obese patients.
Article
Weight loss is associated with short-term amelioration and prevention of metabolic and cardiovascular risk, but whether these benefits persist over time is unknown. The prospective, controlled Swedish Obese Subjects Study involved obese subjects who underwent gastric surgery and contemporaneously matched, conventionally treated obese control subjects. We now report follow-up data for subjects (mean age, 48 years; mean body-mass index, 41) who had been enrolled for at least 2 years (4047 subjects) or 10 years (1703 subjects) before the analysis (January 1, 2004). The follow-up rate for laboratory examinations was 86.6 percent at 2 years and 74.5 percent at 10 years. After two years, the weight had increased by 0.1 percent in the control group and had decreased by 23.4 percent in the surgery group (P<0.001). After 10 years, the weight had increased by 1.6 percent and decreased by 16.1 percent, respectively (P<0.001). Energy intake was lower and the proportion of physically active subjects higher in the surgery group than in the control group throughout the observation period. Two- and 10-year rates of recovery from diabetes, hypertriglyceridemia, low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, hypertension, and hyperuricemia were more favorable in the surgery group than in the control group, whereas recovery from hypercholesterolemia did not differ between the groups. The surgery group had lower 2- and 10-year incidence rates of diabetes, hypertriglyceridemia, and hyperuricemia than the control group; differences between the groups in the incidence of hypercholesterolemia and hypertension were undetectable. As compared with conventional therapy, bariatric surgery appears to be a viable option for the treatment of severe obesity, resulting in long-term weight loss, improved lifestyle, and, except for hypercholesterolemia, amelioration in risk factors that were elevated at baseline.
Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, and laparoscopic greater curve plication: do they differ at 2 years?
  • Lopez-Nava