Implantable gastric stimulation to achieve weight loss in patients with a low body mass index: early clinical trial results.
This report describes the authors' early outcomes with implantable gastric stimulation (IGS) used to achieve weight loss in patients with a low body mass index (BMI). After prescreening of potential candidates with a selection algorithm, 24 patients (21 women and 3 men) with a low BMI (30-34.9) underwent IGS implantation at two centers. The patients had a mean age of 43 years (range, 32-60 years), a mean BMI of 33 (range, 30-36), and a mean weight of 92 kg (range, 80-117 kg). At this writing, 6 months postoperatively, there have been no serious adverse events related to the device. The mean percentage of excess weight loss (EWL) was 5.9%, with three patients explanted because of noncompliance. The mean waist circumference decreased 5.8%, which was significant (p = 0.009). A subset of nine patients (37.5%) had an EWL exceeding 10% (mean, 20.1%). A subset of low BMI patients lost a clinically significant amount of weight with IGS within 6 months. Further study is required for better identification of potential candidates for this novel approach.
Champion
J K
JK
Department of Bariatric Surgery, Emory-Dunwoody Medical Center, Atlanta, GA 30338, USA. jkchamp@juno.com
Williams
M
M
Champion
S
S
Gianos
J
J
Carrasquilla
C
C
D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000628:therapy*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D013270:Stomach; D015431:Weight Loss