The Daily Telegraph

‘Sleeve’ surgery can help obese diabetics

- By Henry Bodkin

AN INTESTINAL “sleeve” that replaces painful gastric bypass surgery for obese people with diabetes is safe and should be provided across the NHS, experts said.

A trial in a Birmingham hospital found the non-surgical “endobarrie­r” enabled patients struggling with type 2 diabetes to lose nearly two-and-a-half stones.

Their blood pressure and blood sugar levels were also substantia­lly improved, and insulin dependence reduced by an average of two thirds.

The 60cm tube lines the first part of the small intestine, achieving the same result as gastric bypass surgery, enabling food to pass through without being absorbed.

However, it is simpler to implant and does not require five days in hospital.

The endobarrie­r is removed after approximat­ely a year, by which time it is intended to have helped patients improve their eating habits and become healthier. Approximat­ely 6,000 patients a year currently undergo a gastric bypass operation or have a gastric band fitted.

While fitting an endobarrie­r is on the face of it more expensive – £10,000 – than performing a gastric bypass – £6,000 – overall it will represent a saving because patients can be treated and discharged the same day.

In a trial at City Hospital, Birmingham, 50 adults who had been suffering from type 2 diabetes for an average of 13 years had the device implanted. Of the 31 who have since had the endobarrie­r removed after approximat­ely a year, those taking insulin significan­tly reduced their dose.

On average they lost 2.3 stones, and of the 17 who have reached six months after having the device removed, two thirds have maintained their improved weight.

The study was presented at the European Associatio­ns for the Study of Diabetes annual meeting in Lisbon.

Diabetes UK welcomed the research, but said bigger studies were needed.

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