Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty: early results of a minimally invasive procedure in patients with obesity

ObjectivesWe aimed to analyze the efficacy and safety of endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty at 3 months as well as to determine factors influencing post-procedural weight loss.MethodsSeventy-three patients with obesity classes I, II and III (BMI 31.1-46.6 kg/m(2)) underwent ESG between September 2021 and April 2022 at a tertiary care hospital using Overstitch (Apollo Endosurgery, Austin, TX). ESG's efficacy and safety was evaluated at 1 and 3 months post-procedure with regard to excess weight loss (EWL) and total weight loss (TWL). Categorical variables were expressed as percentages and compared with chi-square test while continuous variables were expressed as mean +/- standard deviation and compared with paired t test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) as applicable. Pearson's correlation was used to determine association between factors at baseline and weight loss.ResultsMean age was 49.2 +/- 9.7 years with 61 (83.6%) patients being female. Mean initial weight was 105.7 +/- 15.7 kg, and mean BMI was 38.6 +/- 3.5 kg/m(2). Median hospitalization was 2.0 +/- 1.8 days with 62 (84.9%) patients discharged after 24 h. One patient had accidental suturing of the stomach to the abdominal wall and diaphragm which was managed laparoscopically. Mean %EWL was 25.4 +/- 7.1 and 36.3 +/- 11.4, and %TBWL was 11.2 +/- 2.6 and 15.8 +/- 4.2 at 1 and 3 months, respectively. Significant excess weight loss at 3 months was only observed in patients with BMI < 40 kg/m(2) (p = 0.001).ConclusionsESG is safe and effective to manage obesity. Significant weight loss at 3 months was only observed in patients with obesity class I and class II.