Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic has developed a minimally invasive procedure that, when combined with endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty, may approach the weight loss of surgical sleeve gastrectomy.
Gastric fundal mucosal ablation targets ghrelin production in the stomach’s fundus, a hormonal driver of hunger not addressed by ESG. Combined, the procedures led to 23.5% total body weight loss in early trials, compared to 7.7% with GFMA alone. Sleeve gastrectomy averages 29% at 24 months, according to a March 10 news release.
GFMA uses a lift-then-ablate technique to protect tissue and was performed safely in 20 patients. Mayo offers both procedures in a single 90-minute outpatient session for patients seeking nonsurgical, medication-free weight loss.
