title: Endoscopic treatment of obesity.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The increasing incidence of obesity and overweight among children and adolescents will be reflected by the imminent increase in the number of obese patients who require more definitive methods of treatment. There is great interest in new, safe, simple, nonsurgical procedures for weight loss.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To provide an overview of new endoscopic methods for the treatment of obesity.
  
  
  METHODS
  An English-language literature search on endoscopic interventions, endoscopically placed devices and patient safety was performed in the MEDLINE and Cochrane Library databases.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The literature search yielded the following weight loss methods: space-occupying devices (widely used), gastric capacity reduction, modifying gastric motor function and malabsorptive procedures. A commercially available intragastric balloon was the most commonly used device for weight loss. In specific subgroups of patients, it improved quality of life, decreased comorbidities and served as a bridge to surgery. More evidence regarding the potential benefits and safety of other commercially available intragastric balloons is needed to clarify whether they are superior to the most commonly used one. Moreover, early experiences with transoral gastroplasty, the duodenal-jejunal bypass sleeve and an adjustable, totally implantable intragastric prosthesis, indicate that they may be viable options for obesity treatment. Other agents, such as botulinum toxin and a device known as the 'butterfly', are currently at the experimental stage.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  New endoscopic methods for weight loss may be valuable in the treatment of obesity; however, more clinical experience and technical improvements are necessary before implementing their widespread use.
authors: Department of Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland. agnkatswidnicka@op.pl
authors: Agnieszka
authors: A
authors: Swidnicka-Siergiejko
authors: Eugeniusz
authors: E
authors: Wróblewski
authors: Dabrowski
authors: D
authors: Andrzej
mesh_terms: D049088:Bariatrics / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D015905:Gastric Balloon; D015391:Gastroplasty / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D007581:Jejunoileal Bypass / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D009765:Obesity / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D061214:Patient Safety; D011788:Quality of Life; D013270:Stomach / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D035703:Therapies, Investigational / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss