Patients who have already gone a round with the implanted EndoBarrier weight-loss management implant can double-dip without procedural consequences, according to a new study.
In a study of 19 obese patients who had previously implanted and then removed GI Dynamics‘ (ASX:GID) EndoBarrier gastrointestinal sleeve, all were able to undergo re-implantation with "no procedure-related complications," according to a press release.
"The efficacy of first-time EndoBarrier therapy in weight loss and blood sugar control have been well established, and these results demonstrate that EndoBarrier can be safely re-implanted in patients who have previously undergone treatment with the device," Dr. Alex Escalona, who presented the results during an oral session of the 5th Congress of the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders in Barcelona, said in prepared remarks.
"Re-implantation of the EndoBarrier may facilitate additional weight loss and improvements in diabetes and other co-morbid conditions, and additional studies evaluating these clinical benefits are ongoing," he added.
The EndoBarrier is a plastic gut-lining sleeve that hangs from the outlet of the stomach and lines the small intestine. It’s designed to slow the uptake of nutrients to effect weight loss, and has been shown in small clinical trials to also mitigate the symptoms of diabetes.
The device, which is on the market in the U.K., Netherlands, Austria, Germany and Chile, has been reviewed in 13 clinical trials across more than 500 patients, according to a press release.
The company recently announced the 1st group of Australian patients received EndoBarrier obesity and Type II diabetes treatment device the company’s newly established center in Melbourne.
GI Dynamics said it’s hoping this year to begin clinical trials of its EndoBarrier gastrointestinal liner in the U.S., launch commercial sales "in a select number of new countries," and add more Centers of Excellence.
