Transoral surgery for morbid obesity

Abstract

Obesity is a serious health problem in the United States. Although laparoscopic surgical procedures are effective in achieving weight loss and improving obesity-related co-morbidities, they are not without their limitations and consequently there is a growing demand for less invasive approaches. Transoral techniques, as both primary and revisional procedures, are promising in this regard as they may provide a safer and more cost-effective means of achieving meaningful weight loss. The aim of this paper is to review the currently available transoral approaches to weight loss, with a particular focus on those applied in human trials.

Keywords: Humans; Obesity; Transoral techniques.

Figure 1

The BioEnterics Intragastric Balloon. A: The balloon is smooth and spherical. The arrows at the equator point toward the valve. The radiopaque self-sealing and repenetrable valve with its Z-shape configuration (visible inside balloon) allows adjustment of the balloon volume from 400 to 800 mL; B: Plain abdominal radiograph showing balloon in body of stomach. A coin taped on the lower sternum permits follow-up comparisons of balloon size to detect premature deflation.

Figure 2

StomaphyX device. A: polypropylene fastener; B: StomaphyX™ mechanism of tissue approximation.