Many questions have arisen on the web regarding SLEEVE GASTRECTOMY and ENDOSCOPIC SLEEVE thus causing a certain amount of confusion.
IN FACT EVERYTHING OPPOSES THESE TWO METHODS:
1) SLEEVE GASTRECTOMY
SLEEVE GASTRECTOMY is a surgical procedure which removes or resects (ectomy means ablation, thus appendectomy means ablation of the appendix) most of the stomach laparoscopically, so at the end of a sleeve gastrectomy the stomach is more of a tube or sleeve.
This procedure is performed by a bariatric surgeon experienced in this technique in a Clinic and a medical team perfectly qualified for this surgery. It is final, very well codified, its results are excellent subject to nutritional monitoring. Its only drawback remains the risk of leakage or fistula, but with over 20 years of hindsight when it comes to this procedure this very rare complication is now generally treated without re-intervention.
Finally, the procedure is reimbursed by Social Security in France under certain conditions.
2) ENDOSCOPIC SLEEVE
ENDOSCOPIC SLEEVE is not performed by a Bariatric Surgeon but by a Gastroenterologist. It does not remove the stomach, but folds it from the inside using an instrument inserted through the mouth. The procedure decreases the volume of the stomach by gathering the wall, a bit like a curtain that is gathered to reduce its length or a fan that is closed. The needle threads under the gastric mucosa inside the wall. By tightening the threads, this wall is folded back on itself like a fan which closes. (BMI between 30 and 35.)
A lifelong change in your eating habits is essential, nutritional monitoring is necessary.
The long-term risk is that the threads are "digested" by the stomach secretions and disappear. The gastric pouch would then return to its original volume.
This operation is not reimbursed by Social Security in France.
It should be known that the ENDOSCOPIC SLEEVE has been also performed laparoscopically, but scientific studies have shown a complication rate comparable to that of SLEEVE GASTRECTOMY and less satisfactory results in terms of weight loss in the short and medium terms.
No scientific study has been published to date on medium and long-term results of this gastric plasty, the risk that the stomach regains its initial volume seems significant.
