technique largely ineffective.
Current technologies allow for
surgical-like closure of the stom-
ach tissue, so we're seeing better
results. It's too early to tell if out-
comes will be durable enough for
the FDA to approve the technique
for a weight-loss indication. (The
technology is currently approved
for general tissue acquisition and
repair along the intestinal tract.)
There are several ongoing trials
to find out.
5
Stomach aspiration
Unlike many other weight-
loss procedures, stomach aspiration is non-surgical and
reversible. A gastrostomy tube is implanted in the stomach. The
tube is then attached to a button on the outside of the abdomen. The
basic concept is that patients are allowed to eat regular meals
before lavaging their stomach with saline and evacuating about 30%
of the stomach's contents through
the port that's been created in the
abdomen wall.
Once the tube is implanted,
patients must improve their diet
and chew their food very well, so
the procedure does force patients
to change unhealthy eating habits
to some degree. Patients typically
J U L Y 2 0 1 7 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y. N E T • 1 0 3
• EXPERT OPINION Surgeons must consider a patient's weight-loss
goals, medical history and lifestyle choices to determine the safest,
most effective procedure, says Dr. Brethauer.
Steve
Travarca,
Cleveland
Clinic
Stomach Aspiration
