Endoluminal approaches to bariatric surgery

The practice of surgery is in a constant flux with evolving technology as new techniques are continually being developed. Obesity is a major health problem worldwide and is the second most common preventable cause of death in North America. Currently, bariatric surgery is the only modality that results in a sustained weight loss along with reversal of the comorbidities. The purpose of this manuscript is to review the current endoluminal options for the treatment of morbid obesity. Procedures such as intragastric balloons, endoluminal vertical gastroplasty, transoral gastroplasty and transluminal sleeve are discussed and their efficacy is analyzed.