Gastric Bypass Edges Lap-band and Sleeve Gastrectomy in Outcomes

Two recent reports in the Archives of Surgery (Arch Surg. 2011;146[2]:143-148, 149-155) indicate that, in the treatment of moderately to morbidly obese patients, while gastric bypass surgery has a comparable rate of complications as lap-band and sleeve gastrectomy, it has a lower rate of re-operations needed, results in better long-term weight loss and better outcomes associated with type 2 diabetes. Although the authors of the two studies are careful to note that additional research is necessary to both confirm these results and elucidate the reasons behind the different outcomes, the lowered risk of complications combined with better apparent outcomes will temper the rate of adoption of lap-band usage that was poised to accelerate as a result of the FDA’s recent decision to expand the use of lap-band for patients with lower body mass indices (BMI). Obesity is the subject of intense focus, in clinical practice and medical technology, since it carries high costs in the healthcare systems, directly and indirectly (through co-morbidities like diabetes and heart disease, among many others). Treatment of obesity now includes a range of medical and surgical options:

• Drugs
  • Satiety
  • Malabsorption
  • Appetite suppression
  • Combination drugs
• Medical devices
  • Restrictive
  • Artificial fullness
  • Malabsorption
  • Gastric emptying
  • Appetite suppression

For more information on obesity treatment markets, see MedMarket Diligence, LLC, Report #S835, “Products, Technologies and Markets Worldwide for the Clinical Management of Obesity, 2011-2019” (published February 2011).