Current evidence and future perspectives on magnet-assisted bariatric surgery (MABS): a systematic review

Magnet-assisted bariatric surgery (MABS) represents a novel advancement in minimally invasive surgical techniques. It addresses challenges associated with obesity-related anatomical complexities, such as hepatomegaly and fatty liver disease, by enhancing surgical exposure and site visualization.

This systematic review aimed to: (1) compare the efficacy of MABS and conventional bariatric surgery for weight loss and postoperative outcomes; (2) assess their safety profiles; and (3) evaluate perioperative recovery, hospital stay, and patient-reported outcomes like quality of life and satisfaction.

A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, Web of science, Google scholar and Cochrane databases. Data were extracted and synthesized to provide quantitative assessment of MABS's performance.

A total of 12 articles comprising 1305 participants were included. The findings confirmed MABS's feasibility and safety, with significant advantages across varying BMI ranges. Notable benefits included improved surgical exposure, shorter or comparable operative times, reduced postoperative pain, shorter hospital stays, low complication rates and no procedure-related mortality.

MABS demonstrated strong potential as an innovative tool in minimally invasive bariatric surgery, offering significant benefits for both patients and surgical teams. Its ability to address obesity-related challenges and enhance surgical outcomes supports its continued use and refinement. Future research should focus on stratified analyses, long-term outcomes, and economic evaluations to establish standardized criteria for patient selection and expand its applicability to other minimally invasive procedures.