Bariatric endoscopic antral myotomy: a pilot study assessing technical feasibility, physiologic changes, and preliminary efficacy.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Gastric balloons and endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty appear to work by delaying gastric emptying. We hypothesized that pylorus-sparing antral myotomy would inhibit the antral pump, inducing gastric retention and similarly resulting in weight loss. METHODS: In this single-center pilot study, we assessed bariatric endoscopic antral myotomy (BEAM) using submucosal tunneling. The primary outcomes were feasibility, safety, and efficacy at 6 and 12 months, whereas the secondary outcomes were changes in the gastric-emptying rate and gastroparesis cardinal symptom index (GCSI) score. RESULTS: Six subjects underwent successful BEAM. One required needle decompression, and another developed pulmonary embolism, treated without sequela. At 6 and 12 months, patients achieved 9.1% ± 8.9% and 12.2% ± 7.1% total weight loss (P < .0005). The gastric-emptying rate was delayed by 36.6% in those with ≥10% total weight loss. The GCSI score increased significantly at 12 months, particularly regarding early satiety. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study suggests BEAM is feasible and appears to induce delayed gastric emptying that is associated with significant weight loss, without symptoms of gastroparesis.