[Laparoscopic Gastric Plication: a new surgery for the treatment of morbid obesity]

[Serum ghrelin changes after bariatric surgery]

OBJECTIVE

To study the effect of bariatric surgery on serum ghrelin in patients with morbid obesity.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We experimentally analyzed serum ghrelin in 96 rats. Of these, 84 rats underwent sleeve gastrectomy, and 12 rats comprised the control group (no surgery). We measured body weight and serum ghrelin using ELISA method after 1, 3, 7, 14, 21 and 30 days after surgery. Serum ghrelin was studied before and after bariatric surgery in 23 patients with morbid obesity.

RESULTS

Baseline serum ghrelin was lower in larger rats and obese patients compared to normal body weight. We found no decrease in serum ghrelin after resection of fundal ghrelin-releasing part of the stomach.

CONCLUSION

Stomach volume changes after restrictive bariatric surgery (sleeve resection or gastroplication) are accompanied by mild increase in serum ghrelin. This increment is greater after more significant body weight loss after surgery. Similar researches will help to find new treatment strategies for pathological obesity.

Laparoscopic Greater Curvature Plication for the Treatment of Obesity: a Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

During the last decade, laparoscopic greater curvature plication (LGCP) has been used as a bariatric procedure for the treatment of obesity, regarded as less invasive and less expensive than other surgical bariatric procedures. We aimed to systematically review the literature and highlight recent clinical data regarding outcomes of LGCP in the treatment of obesity.

METHODS

A comprehensive research of Pubmed database on LGCP was performed. The search was conducted on the first of May 2020 and was not limited to any date range. Outcomes of interest were surgical technique, postoperative complications, weight loss outcomes, comorbidities improvement or resolution, and revisional surgeries after technical failure or weight regain.

RESULTS

Fifty-three articles were eligible for inclusion, with 3103 patients undergoing LGCP (mean age: 13.8-55 years). Mean preoperative body mass index (BMI) ranged from 31.2 to 47.8 kg/m². Mean operative time ranged from 48 to 193 min. Length of hospital stay ranged from 0.75 to 7.2 days. Most studies provided postoperative follow-up up to 12 months. Mean percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL) ranged from 30.2 to 71.1% and 35 to 77.1% at 6 and 12 months post-LGCP, respectively. Only one study followed patients for more than 10 years and mean %EWL at 1, 5, and 10 years was 67%, 55%, and 42%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

LGCP seems to be an acceptable surgical procedure for the treatment of obesity, especially in centers having a low medical budget. However, most existing comparative studies report superiority of LSG regarding weight loss.

Comparison of Short-Term Effectiveness and Postoperative Complications: Laparoscopic Gastric Plication vs Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy

INTRODUCTION

Bariatric surgeries are the only effective long-term treatment in obese patients. The innovation of laparoscopic gastric plication (LGP) raised some questions about its effectiveness compared to traditionally used techniques such as laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). We tried to answer some of these questions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We investigated 70 patients in a randomized clinical trial (IRCT2013123012294N5) from 2012 to 2015. Thirty-five patients were randomly assigned to each LSG or LGP group, using sealed envelope method. The body mass index (BMI) reduction and the percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL) along with %total body weight loss (%TWL) were primary endpoint and were assessed at follow-up periods. We recorded postoperative complications, as well.

RESULTS

Two-year follow-up rate was 100%. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in means of preoperative BMI. Also, postoperative follow-ups were not suggestive for a significant difference in BMI (all p values > 0.05). The mean %EWL at follow-ups showed no significant difference at any point, except for 3 and 6 months after surgery (p value = 0.002 and 0.017, respectively). This finding was confirmed by %TWL trend in 12 months after surgery. LSG patients were readmitted more than LGP patients (seven cases vs one case, p value = 0.024). Postoperative complications such as nausea and vomiting, hair loss, iron deficiency, vitamin D deficiency, and cholelithiasis were not different between the two groups. There was one death in the LGP group due to pulmonary thromboembolism.

CONCLUSIONS

LGP showed to be efficient regarding %EWL and %TWL reduction in short-term follow-ups with comparable postoperative complications to LSG.

Metabolic Effects of Sleeve Gastrectomy and Laparoscopic Greater Curvature Plication: an 18-Month Prospective, Observational, Open-Label Study

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic greater curvature plication (LGCP) is an innovative restrictive technique designed to reduce gastric volume by plication at the region of greater curvature. The long-term efficacy, safety, and the metabolic effects of this procedure are the subject of this study.

METHODS

One hundred twenty-seven patients were enrolled; 84 underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) and 43, LGCP. LSG and LGCP were then compared during long-term follow-ups in terms of glycemic control, hormone and lipid secretion, and changes in body composition. Measured parameters included serum glucose, triglycerides, high- and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, testosterone, estradiol, leptin, adiponectin, ghrelin, fatmass, and lean body mass.

RESULTS

Significant weight-loss and a reduced body composition resulted from either procedure vs. baseline (i.e., pre-surgery), with levels of fasting glucose and glycated hemoglobin also showing statistically significant reductions (at 3 and 18 months for either surgery). Intergroup comparisons for glycemic parameters yielded no statistically significant differences. However, a dramatic reduction in ghrelin was detected following LSG, falling from pre-surgery levels of 140.7 to 69.6 ng/L by 6 months (P < 0.001). Subsequently, ghrelin levels increased, reaching 107.8 ng/L by month 12. Conversely, after LGCP, a statistically significant increase in ghrelin was seen, rising from 130.0 ng/L before surgery to 169.0 ng/L by month 12, followed by a slow decline.

CONCLUSIONS

Good metabolic outcomes were obtained following LGCP, which might be mediated via altered glucose metabolism and GI hormones. Nevertheless, this method is less effective than LSG, possibly due to its preservation of the entire stomach, including secretory regions.

Five-Year Outcomes: Laparoscopic Greater Curvature Plication for Treatment of Morbid Obesity

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic greater curvature plication (LGCP) is a newer metabolic/bariatric surgical procedure that requires no resection, bypass, or implantable device. We report outcomes in a cohort of LGCP patients at 5-year follow-up.

METHODS

Body mass index (BMI, kg/m²) evolution, excess weight loss (%EWL), excess BMI loss (%EBMIL), and total weight loss (%TWL) were recorded. Repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to assess BMI change over 5 years. Two-step cluster analysis was used to profile LGCP patients according to significant characteristics relative to successful 5-year weight loss.

RESULTS

Of patients entering the study between 2010 and 2011 with complete weight data through 5-year follow-up (86.9%, 212/244), mean age was 45.8 ± 10.9 years; mean baseline BMI, 41.4 ± 5.5 (81.6% women); 58 patients (27.4%) had type 2 diabetes. Mean operative time was 69.0 min; mean hospitalization, 38 h (24-72). ANOVA indicated a significant BMI reduction out to 2 years (p < 0.001), a plateau at 3 and 4 years, and a moderate but significant BMI increase at 5 years (p < 0.01). EBMIL at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years was as follows: 50.7 ± 9.1%, 61.5 ± 8.1%, 60.2 ± 7.0%, 58.5 ± 7.0%, and 56.8 ± 6.3%. At 5 years, 79.2% (168/212) of patients were successful; 20.8% (44/212) experienced a suboptimal weight outcome; mean weight regain, 9.2%. Cluster analysis identified four distinct LGCP patient profiles. Diabetes improvement rate was 65.5%. There were 12 reoperations (4.9%): 4 emergency (1.6%) and 8 (3.3%) elective. There was no mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

At 5-year follow-up, LGCP proved to be safe and effective, with 56.8% EBMIL and a low rate of complications.

Laparoscopic Greater Curve Plication as an Outpatient Weight Loss Procedure

Background and Objectives:

Laparoscopic greater curve plication is emerging as a weight loss procedure that avoids many of the complications of other surgeries that require gastrointestinal division, amputation, or use of a foreign body. Cost savings and affordability have also been promoted, as plication does not require the use of stapling devices, adjustable gastric bands, or prolonged hospitalization. The ability to predictably perform plication as an outpatient surgery may further define its role as a therapeutic option for treating morbid obesity. We present the 30-day outcomes and supplementary 12-month data in a series of 141 laparoscopic greater curve plication surgeries performed as outpatient procedures.

Methods:

Laparoscopic greater curve plication was performed as outpatient surgery in 141 consecutive patients. Outcomes including perioperative complications, incidental 12-month follow-up for weight loss, and change in diabetic and hypertensive medication are reported.

Results:

Of the 141 plications performed, 138 patients were discharged from the recovery room and 6 were readmitted. There was no conversion to open surgery and no mortality.

Conclusions:

The ability to reliably perform greater curve plication as an outpatient surgery may further define its role as an additional weight loss surgery technique.

Short-Term Analysis of Food Tolerance and Quality of Life after Laparoscopic Greater Curvature Plication

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to compare short-term outcomes [food tolerance scores (FTS) and quality of life] after three types of restrictive bariatric surgery: laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB), laparoscopic greater curvature plication (LGCP), and laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From January 2012 to December 2013, all patients that underwent primary surgery were included in one of the LAGB, LGCP, or LSG groups. These three groups were then compared with respect to FTS, gastrointestinal quality of life indices (GIQLI), and the Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire. Questionnaires were sent to all patients both pre- and post-operatively.

RESULTS

A total of 85 patients (LAGB=45, LGCP=22, and LSG=18) returned the questionnaires in full, and these patients constituted the study cohort. The cohort was predominately female (n=73, 85.9%). Mean percentage excess weight loss (%EWL) values after LAGB, LGCP, and LSG were 65.4 ± 27.0%, 65.6 ± 25.2%, and 82.7 ± 21.7%, respectively (p=0.044). Mean postoperative FTSs and improvements in total GIQLIs after LAGB, LGCP, and LSG were 15.96, 20.95, and 21.33 and -3.40, 6.68, and 18.78, respectively (p<0.05). All procedures produced improvements in the three SF-36 domain scores. Subgroup analysis revealed significant differences between the three procedures in terms of improvements in general health and emotional well-being.

CONCLUSION

LGCP is safe and effective at achieving significant weight loss. In terms of food tolerance and GI quality of life, LGCP was found to be comparable to gastric banding and sleeve gastrectomy.

Initial Experiences of Laparoscopic Gastric Greater Curvature Plication in Korea-A Review of 64 Cases

PURPOSE

Laparoscopic gastric greater curvature plication (LGGCP) is an emerging, alternative form of restrictive weight loss surgery. We present our experiences of LGGCP with the primary focus on surgical techniques and weight loss. In addition, an investigation was performed on the food tolerance of LGGCP patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study was conducted by retrospectively reviewing the prospectively collected data of patients who underwent LGGCP from March 2013 to February 2015.

RESULTS

Of the 64 patients were eligible for the study, 59 (92.2%) were female. Mean (range) patient age was 34 (21-49) years. Mean ± standard deviation (SD) preoperative body mass index was 31.4 ± 4.3 kg/m(2). There were no mortalities or postoperative complications. Immediate postoperative nausea and vomiting occurred in 58 patients (90.6%), mean postoperative hospital stay duration was 2.3 days (range, 1-7 days), and mean percentage excess body mass index losses at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 18 months were 34.7% (n = 64), 50.8% (n = 60), 61.1% (n = 40), 82.1% (n = 19), and 82.9% (n = 12), respectively. Follow-up endoscopy was performed at 12 months postoperatively in 19 patients, and reflux esophagitis of grade LA-M was observed in 16 patients (84.2%), LA-A in 2 patients (10.5%), and LA-B in 1 patient (5.3%). Mean ± SD satisfaction score with current eating and total food tolerance score was 4.27 ± 0.55 and 20.95 ± 4.30, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

LGGCP is an intervention that may be comparable with sleeve gastrectomy or adjustable gastric banding, especially for Class I or II obesity in an Asian population. Furthermore, quality of eating, as determined using food tolerance scores, was excellent.

A systematic review of gastric plication for the treatment of obesity

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic gastric plication (LGP) is a relatively new restrictive bariatric procedure that requires no gastrectomy or foreign body placement.

OBJECTIVES

The authors' aim in this article is to conduct a systematic review of the currently available literature regarding the outcomes of LGP for the treatment of obesity.

SETTING

University Hospital, China

METHODS

The authors' systematic review yielded 14 studies encompassing 1,450 LGP patients. Perioperative data were collected from each study and recorded.

RESULTS

Mean preoperative body mass index (BMI) ranged from 31.2 to 44.5 kg/m(2), and 80.8% of the patients were female. Operative time ranged from 50 to 117.9 minutes (average 79.2 min). Hospital stay varied from .75 to 5 days (average 2.4 days). The percentage of excessive weight loss (%EWL) for LGP varied from 31.8% to 74.4% with follow-up from 6 months to 24 months. No mortality was reported in these studies and the rate of major complications requiring reoperation ranged from 0% to 15.4% (average 3.7 %).

CONCLUSION

Early reports with LGP are promising with a favorable short-term safety profile. However, it remains unclear if weight loss following LGP is durable in the long term. Additional prospective comparative trials and long-term follow-up are needed to further define the role of LGP in the surgical management of obesity.

Short-term outcomes of laparoscopic gastric plication in morbidly obese patients: importance of postoperative follow-up

Demand for feasible, safe, and preferably low-cost methods of weight reduction is rising every day. The present study reports findings from laparoscopic gastric plication (LGP), which is a new restrictive bariatric technique, combined with a postoperative follow-up program. A 2-year prospective study was performed following LGP in 53 female morbidly obese patients from Gorgan, Iran, with a mean age of 36.3 years and mean body mass index (BMI) of 42.6 kg/m(2) (35.3-62.4). Through a four-port approach, the greater omentum and short gastric vessels were transected and the greater curvature was imbricated into the body of the stomach with two rows of nonabsorbable sutures. After surgery, all patients were scheduled to attend a weekly group meeting for behavioral modification and psychotherapy. The mean operative time and hospital stay was 95 min and 72 h, respectively. No intraoperative complications occurred. Mean percentages of excess weight loss (%EWL) were 25.6 %, 54.2 %, 70.2 %, and 74.4 % after 1, 6, 12, and 24 months, respectively. Six patients lost >84 % of their excess weight after 24 months. Patients who did not participate in the group meetings had a lower %EWL after 12 (79.5 % vs. 55.6 %) and 24 months (90 % vs. 43.4 %) compared with the patients who regularly participated in the group meetings (P < 0.005). LGP is a feasible, safe, and effective surgical method for weight loss for at least 24 months when performed on morbidly obese patients. Postoperative group meetings (POGM) for psychotherapy and behavioral modification helped patients to achieve better results.

Laparoscopic gastric plication: technical report

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic gastric plication is an emerging restrictive bariatric procedure but still lacks standardization of the technique. The aim of this study was to apply a standardized, modified 3-port approach to laparoscopic gastric plication to improve outcomes.

METHODS

The modified laparoscopic gastric plication technique was applied for 63 morbidly obese patients between March 2010 and January 2013. There were 9 men and 54 women, with a mean age of 34.2 years (range 20-48 years) and a mean body mass index of 38.9 kg/m(2) (range 32-65 kg/m(2)).

RESULTS

There were no deaths, no conversion to laparotomy, no reoperation, and no readmission. Percent excess weight loss was 41%, 52%, and 60% at 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively. There were no major complications reported in our study, but prolonged early postoperative nausea and vomiting occurred in 3 of 63 (4.8%) patients who had been successfully treated with proton pump inhibitors and antiemetics.

CONCLUSIONS

Our initial experience showed that the 4-bite technique starting 2 cm below the angle of His with tight calibration of the gastric tube for obese patients is feasible, effective, and well tolerated, with a low frequency of major problems.

Gastric plication for morbid obesity: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Gastric plication is a new bariatric procedure. Controversies exist regarding this emerging surgery. We herein present a comprehensive review of the literature regarding gastric plication approach.

METHODS

Advanced Pub Med search combining the MeSH terms "Gastric plication", OR "Gastric greater curvature plication" yielded 213 abstracts. Abstracts were screened for articles in English and articles on human subjects yielding 130. Further searches revealed 121 titles to be unrelated to gastric plication. The remaining nine abstracts were analyzed for their full texts. Two articles were excluded because, one was a commentary on another article, and the other was a released ASMBS policy on gastric plication. In the end, there were seven articles published on gastric plication.

RESULTS

A total of 307 patients had undergone gastric plication. The mean operative time range was 40 to 150 min. The median length of hospital stay ranged between 1.3 and 1.9 days. In respect to excess weight loss (EWL), at 6 months, it ranged from 54 to 51 %, while at 12 months 67-53.4 %. The longest follow-up was 3 years with a mean of 57 % EWL.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic gastric plication is still in its infancy. Prospective randomized studies comparing gastric plication to other well established bariatric procedures are needed to prove the reliability and metabolic effectiveness of such new procedure.

Laparoscopic greater curvature plication (LGCP) for treatment of morbid obesity in a series of 244 patients

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic greater curvature plication (LGCP) is a new metabolic/bariatric surgical procedure that requires no resection, bypass, or implantable device. We report LGCP outcomes in 244 morbidly obese patients.

METHODS

Between 2010 and 2011, patients underwent LGCP. Body mass index (BMI, kilogram per square meter) evolution, excess BMI loss (%EBMIL), excess weight loss (%EWL), complications, and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) changes were recorded. Repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to assess weight change at 6, 12, and 18 months. Subgroup analyses were conducted to provide benchmark outcomes at 6 months. Logistic regression was used to identify characteristics predictive of suboptimal weight loss.

RESULTS

Mean baseline BMI (±SD) was 41.4 ± 5.5 (80.7 % women, mean age 46.1 ± 11.0 years, 68 [27.9 %] patients had T2DM). Mean operative time was 70.6 min; mean hospitalization, 36 h (24-72). Sixty-eight patients (27.9 %) experienced postoperative nausea and/or vomiting that was controlled within 36 h. There was no mortality. Major complication rate was 1.2 % (n = 3). Repeated-measures ANOVA indicated significant weight loss across time points (p < 0.001). At 6 months (n = 105), BMI, %EBMIL, and %EWL were 36.1 ± 4.7, 34.8 ± 17.3, and 31.8 ± 15.9. Preoperative BMI was the only predictor of weight loss. Patients with BMI <40 lost more weight than those ≥40, although by 9 months, differences were no longer significant. In patients with preoperative BMI <40, 18-month %EWL approached 50 % and %EBMIL exceeded 50 %. At 6 months, 96.9 % of patients' T2DM was significantly improved/resolved.

CONCLUSIONS

Over the short term, LGCP results in effective weight loss and significant T2DM reduction with a very low rate of complications.

Twelve year experience of laparoscopic gastric plication in morbid obesity: development of the technique and patient outcomes

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic Gastric Plication (LGP) is a new restrictive bariatric surgery, previously introduced by the author. The aim of this study is to explain the modifications and to present the 12-year experience, regarding early and long term results, complications and cost.

METHODS

We used LGP for morbid obesity during the past 12 years. Anterior plication (10 cases), one-row bilateral plication while right gastroepiploic artery included (42 cases), and excluded from the plication (104 cases) and two-row plication (644 cases). The gastric greater curvature was plicated using 2/0 prolen from fundus at the level of diaphragm preserving the His angle to just proximal to the pylorus. The anatomic and functional volume of stomach was 50cc and 25cc respectively in two-row method. Ordered postop visits also included evaluation of weight loss, complications, change of diet and control of exercise.

RESULTS

LGP was performed in 800 cases (mean age: 27.5, range: 12 to 65 years, nine under 18). Female to male ratio was 81% to 19% and average BMI was 42.1 (35-59). The mean excess weight loss (EWL) was 70% (40% to 100%) after 24 months and 55% (28% to 100%) after 5 years following surgery. 134 cases (16.7%) did not completed long term follow-up. The average time of follow up was 5 years (1 month to 12 years). 5.5% and 31% of cases complained from weight regain respectively during 4 and 12 years after LGP. The mean time of operation was 72 (49-152) minutes and average hospitalization time was 72 hours (24 hours to 45 days). The cost of operation was 2000 $ less than gastric banding or sleeve and 2500 $ less than gastric bypass. Eight patients out of 800 cases (1%) required reoperation due to complications like: micro perforation, obstruction and vomiting following adhesion of His angle. Other complications included hepatitis pneumonia, self-limiting intra-abdominal bleeding and hypocalcaemia.

CONCLUSION

The percentage of EWL in this technique is comparable to other restrictive methods. The technique is safe with 1.6% complication (1% reoperated), and 31% regain during 12 years. The cost of operation is less than the other methods.

Laparoscopic gastric plication for the treatment of morbid obesity: a review

Introduction. Laparoscopic greater curvature plication is an operation that is gaining ground in the treatment of morbid obesity, as it appears to replicate the results of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy with fewer complications. Aim. Review of current literature, especially results on weight loss and complications. Method. 11 (eleven) published articles on laparoscopic gastric plication, of which 1 preclinical study, 8 prospective studies for a total of 521 patients and 2 case reports of unusual complications. Results. Reported Paracentage of EWL in all studies is comparable to Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (around 50% in 6 months, 60–65% in 12 months, 60–65% in 24 months) and total complication rate is at 15,1% with minor complications in 10,7%, major complications in 4,4%. Reoperation rate was 3%, conversion rate was 0,2%, and mortality was zero. Conclusion. Current literature on gastric plication and its modifications is limited and sketchy at times. Low cost, short hospital stay, absence of prosthetic material, and reversibility make it an attractive option. Initial data show that LGCP is effective for short- and medium-term weight loss, complication and reoperation rates are low, and GERD symptoms are unaffected. More data is required, and randomized control trials must be completed in order to reach safe conclusions.

[Preoperative weight loss in bariatric surgery candidate patients. evidence-based recommendations]

INTRODUCTION

Bariatric surgery is becoming increasingly more common in the treatment of morbid obesity in our hospitals. One of the measures being used to optimise the results of this surgery seems to be the standardising the preoperative weight loss. As there are no universal recommendations for carrying out this weight loss, a review of this topic is presented.

OBJECTIVES

To analyse whether sufficient scientific evidence exists to recommend preoperative weight loss in candidate patients for bariatric surgery. What would be the best options to carry out this weight loss is also analysed, as well as making some recommendations based on the scientific evidence.

RESULTS

There is great heterogeneity in the designs of the different studies, with different guidelines for weight loss and various surgical techniques. However, preoperative weight loss leads to a decrease in the size of the liver and intra-abdominal fat, which improves the surgical field and intra-operative view, which in turn helps during the surgical act, both in open as well as laparoscopic surgery. There is no consensus on the effect of preoperative weight loss has in predicting the medium or long term results after bariatric surgery.

CONCLUSION

The current scientific evidence makes preoperative weight loss recommendable in candidate patients for bariatric surgery. However, there is no consensus on what is the best procedure to achieve this preoperative weight loss.

An update on less invasive and endoscopic techniques mimicking the effect of bariatric surgery

Obesity (BMI 30-35 kg/m(2)) and its associated disorders such as type 2 diabetes, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and cardiovascular disease have reached pandemic proportions worldwide. For the morbidly obese population (BMI 35-50 kg/m(2)), bariatric surgery has proven to be the most effective treatment to achieve significant and sustained weight loss, with concomitant positive effects on the metabolic syndrome. However, only a minor percentage of eligible candidates are treated by means of bariatric surgery. In addition, the expanding obesity epidemic consists mostly of relatively less obese patients who are not (yet) eligible for bariatric surgery. Hence, less invasive techniques and devices are rapidly being developed. These novel entities mimic several aspects of bariatric surgery either by gastric restriction (gastric balloons, gastric plication), by influencing gastric function (gastric botulinum injections, gastric pacing, and vagal nerve stimulation), or by partial exclusion of the small intestine (duodenal-jejunal sleeve). In the last decade, several novel less invasive techniques have been introduced and some have been abandoned again. The aim of this paper is to discuss the safety, efficacy, complications, reversibility, and long-term results of these latest developments in the treatment of obesity.