Endoscopic gastroplasty, a non-surgical and less invasive procedure than bariatric surgery, allows the reduction of stomach volume using internal sutures, performed via endoscopy.
A study by the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) points out that the technique has an effectiveness of 87.5% for sustained weight loss. The procedure is indicated for patients with mild to moderate obesity, with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 30 kg/m².
The UFMG researchers followed 189 patients who underwent endoscopic gastroplasty between 12 and 48 months after the procedure, with the aim of verifying the effectiveness and safety of the intervention and the durability of the effects in practice.
The research was developed during the doctorate of general surgeon and endoscopist Bruno Sander, in the Postgraduate Program in Sciences Applied to Surgery and Ophthalmology at UFMG.
“Compared to bariatric surgery, the most commonly used method for weight loss, gastroplasty has the advantage of not causing deficiencies in the absorption of nutrients”, highlights Sander, in a statement.
Patients undergoing the technique are discharged on the same day and can resume their daily activities in less than a week.
Study participants recorded sustained weight loss, maintained over the four years analyzed, greater than 20% of their initial body weight. According to Sander, the other endoscopic procedures available in Brazil, such as the intragastric balloon, usually result in weight gain after 12 months.
Lower risk of complications
Patients also underwent control endoscopies to verify the permanence of sutures in the stomach. The results showed that the maintenance of sutures is directly related to nutritional monitoring, which favors a balanced diet and avoids excess pressure inside the stomach.
The doctor says that the complications associated with gastroplasty are minimal. “As with any procedure performed under general anesthesia, there are anesthetic and procedure risks. But the risks are very low, and no complications were reported among the 189 patients analyzed,” he says.
According to the specialist, patients should be accompanied by a multidisciplinary team, including nutritionists and psychologists, who indicate changes in eating habits and physical activity routine.
For Sander, endoscopic gastroplasty should be incorporated into procedures accredited by the Unified Health System (SUS). “It would be a great benefit to the general population, as people would have access to a non-invasive treatment, with a high percentage of success and a high level of safety in weight control”, he concludes.
Source: CNN Brasil
