News Release

NEWS RELEASE, April 15, 2010, Washington, DC


-Obesity Surgery performed through the vagina-

A first in human trail was reported at the 12th World Conference for Endoscopic Surgery in Washington, DC showing Obesity Surgery can be performed by passing some of the instruments through the vagina. This feasibility study reported on four patients who had a bariatric operation called a gastric sleeve procedure performed by passing a flexible scope through a small hidden incision in the vagina to visualize the structures inside the abdomen during the course of the operation. This procedure results in a 90% reduction in the size of the stomach. The redundant portion of the stomach was removed by the scope through the same small opening in the vagina. The four operations were possible in part by the use of a new supporting device called the Flexible Steerable Trocar make by Ethicon Endo-surgery. According to Dr. Stephan Myers, the Director of Bariatric Surgery at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus, Ohio and the principle investigator and surgeon for this study, “This is a combined natural orifice and laparoscopic approach using the trans-vaginal approach for visualization and removal of the stomach with three small incisions in the abdomen to place additional instruments needed to perform the operation. Although one of the patients required a revision because the “sleeve” was too narrow, all four patients are doing well and are losing weight on schedule”. According to Dr. Myers we can expect to see more natural orifice approaches to obesity surgery in the future.


For further information contact:


Steve Myers, MD, FACS
drstevemyers@gmail.com
freshstartbariatrics.com
Mobile 614-557-8125