Purposes: Classical gastrointestinal anastomoses are formed with sutures and/or metal staples, resulting in significant bleeding and leak rates. This study evaluated the feasibility and safety of the novel magnet anastomosis system (MS) to create a side-to-side duodeno-ileal (DI) diversion for weight loss and type 2 diabetes (T2D) resolution.
Materials and methods: Patients with severe obesity (body mass index (BMI) ≥ 35 kg/m2 with/without T2D (HbA1C ≥ 6.5%)) underwent the study procedure, a side-to-side MS DI diversion, with a standard sleeve gastrectomy (SG). A linear magnet was delivered by flexible endoscopy to a point 250 cm proximal to the ileocecal valve; a second magnet was positioned in the first part of the duodenum; the bowel segments containing magnets were apposed, initiating gradual anastomosis formation. Laparoscopic assistance was used to obtain bowel measurements, obviate tissue interposition, and close mesenteric defects.
Results: Between November 22 and 26, 2021, 5 female patients (mean weight 117.6 ± 7.1 kg, BMI (kg/m2) 44.4 ± 2.2) underwent side-to-side MS DI + SG. All magnets were successfully placed, expelled without re-intervention, and formed patent durable anastomoses. Total weight loss at 12 months was 34.0 ± 1.4% (SEM); excess weight loss, 80.2 ± 6.6%; and BMI reduction, 15.1. Mean HbA1C (%) dropped from 6.8 ± 0.8 to 4.8 ± 0.2; and glucose (mg/dL), from 134.3 ± 17.9 to 87.3 ± 6.3 (mean reduction, 47.0 mg/dL). There was no anastomotic bleeding, leakage, obstruction, or infection and no mortality.
Conclusions: Creation of a side-to-side magnetic compression anastomosis to achieve duodeno-ileostomy diversion in adults with severe obesity was feasible and safe, achieved excellent weight loss, and resolved type 2 diabetes at 1-year follow-up.
Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT05322122.
Keywords: Duodeno-ileostomy; Metabolic/bariatric surgery, Magnetic compression anastomosis; Obesity; Sleeve gastrectomy; Type 2 diabetes.
© 2023. The Author(s).