A novel endoscopic weight loss therapy using gastric aspiration: results after 6 months

Obesity is a major public health problem with few effective treatment options. A novel device for treating obesity, the AspireAssist aspiration therapy system, was evaluated.

After 4 weeks taking a very-low-calorie diet, 25 obese men and women (BMI 39.8 ± 0.9 kg/m(2)) had the AspireAssist gastrostomy tube placed during a gastroscopy. A low-profile valve was installed 14 days later and aspiration of gastric contents was performed approximately 20 minutes after meals three times per day. Cognitive behavioral therapy was also started.

At month 6, mean weight lost was 16.5 ± 7.8 kg in the 22 subjects who completed 26 weeks of therapy (P = 0.001). The mean percentage excess weight lost was 40.8 ± 19.8 % (P = 0.001). Two subjects were hospitalized for complications: one subject for pain after gastrostomy tube placement, which was treated with analgesics, and another because of an aseptic intra-abdominal fluid collection 1 day after gastrostomy tube placement. No clinically significant changes in serum potassium or other electrolytes occurred.

In this study, substantial weight loss was achieved with few complications using the AspireAssist system, suggesting its potential as an attractive therapeutic device for obese patients. Trial Register ISRCTN 49958132.