Laparoscopic bariatric surgery: new technologies, trends and perspectives

Obesity is an endemic disease. It was already proved that the clinical approach to morbid obesity fails in 95% of cases. Laparoscopy has shown that is related to a milder metabolic response and a smoother postoperative period. There is no doubt that the laparoscopic approach is not the future for the surgical treatment of morbid obesity, but the best present approach and with equally excellent results when compared to the traditional open operation. However, this challenging surgery requires masterful use of an array of specialized laparoscopic equipment and instrumentation. These include proper video monitors, cameras, visualization, peritoneal entrance, scopes, cutting/coagulation equipments, and staplers, suturing devices, graspers, dedicated endosurgery operating rooms, robotics and awareness of newer equipment. This paper covers the benefits of the laparoscopic access in bariatric surgery and reviews the cutting-edge in technology to drive surgeons and patients to a smoother intra and postoperative course.