Early experience with customized, meal-triggered gastric electrical stimulation in obese patients

We report our initial gastric electrical stimulation experience using the abiliti® system for the treatment of obese patients followed for 1 year.

Between March 2011 and June 2013, 27 obese patients (BMI 30 to 46 kg/m(2)) were enrolled in a prospective open label study and implanted with a gastric stimulator. The patients were provided with nutritional support, and sensor-based behavioral feedback.

At 12 months, percent excess weight loss (%EWL) obtained was 49.3 ± 19.2 % with no significant differences between gender or age sub-groups. The %EWL data were segmented into two groups according to BMI 30-40 kg/m(2) patients (obesity grade I and II) and BMI >40 kg/m(2), with the results of weight loss being significantly higher for the lower BMI group (59.1 ± 19.5 vs. 46.7 ± 13.4, respectively, p < 0.01). One subject requested to have his device explanted, and the minor postoperative adverse events were resolved without hospital admission. All patients experienced early satiety and reduced their intake.

After 12 months of follow-up, gastric electrical stimulation treatment appears to be a safe and effective option for weight loss in obese subjects. Long-term follow-up and further studies are warranted.