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  • Original Article
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Clinical Studies and Practice

Closed-loop gastric electrical stimulation versus laparoscopic adjustable gastric band for the treatment of obesity: a randomized 12-month multicenter study

International Journal of Obesity volume 40, pages 1891–1898 (2016)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Objective:

To compare the weight loss, change in quality of life (QOL) and safety of closed-loop gastric electrical stimulation (CLGES) versus adjustable gastric band (LAGB) in the treatment of obesity.

Methods:

This multicenter, randomized, non-inferiority trial randomly assigned the patients in a 2:1 ratio to laparoscopic CLGES versus LAGB and followed them for 1 year. We enrolled 210 patients, of whom 50 were withdrawn preoperatively. Among 160 remaining patients (mean age=39±11 years; 75% women; mean body mass index=43±6 kg m–2) 106 received CLGES and 54 received LAGB. The first primary end point was non-inferiority of CLGES versus LAGB, ascertained by the proportion of patients who, at 1 year, fulfilled: (a) a ⩾20% excess weight loss (EWL); (b) no major device- or procedure-related adverse event (AE); and (c) no major, adverse change in QOL. Furthermore, ⩾50% of patients had to reach ⩾25% EWL. The incidence and seriousness of all AE were analyzed and compared using Mann–Whitney’s U-test.

Results:

At 1 year, the proportions of patients who reached all components of the primary study end point were 66.7 and 73.0% for the LAGB and CLGES group, respectively, with a difference of –6.3% and an upper 95% CI of 7.2%, less than the predetermined 10% margin for confirming the non-inferiority of CLGES. The second primary end point was also met, as 61.3% of patients in the CLGES group reached ⩾25% EWL (lower 95% CI=52.0%; P<0.01). QOL improved significantly and similarly in both groups. AE were significantly fewer and less severe in the CLGES than in the LAGB group (P<0.001).

Conclusions and relevance:

This randomized study confirmed the non-inferiority of CLGES compared with LAGB based on the predetermined composite end point. CLGES was associated with significantly fewer major AE.

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Acknowledgements

Preparation of the manuscript: Rodolphe Ruffy, MD <www.cardioscript.com> contributed to the composition of the manuscript for style and language and was compensated for his time and efforts. Statistical analysis: independent statistical analysis of study end points by Mark Holdbrook, Senior Advisor, Clinical Affairs, Data Management & Biostatistics for Experien Group. Funding/support: The study was supported by IntraPace Inc., San Jose, CA, USA. Role of the funder/sponsor: IntraPace Inc. was involved in the design and conduct of the study, site selection and database management. The sponsor funded the clinical sites for patient screening, testing, hospitalization, surgery (implant) and database entry. The sponsor funded the independent statistical analysis of the data by Experien Group. Mir Hashim, PhD, Rose Province, MS and Mir Imran, CEO, were sponsor representatives allowed to review and participate in the critical revision of the manuscript before its submission. General data collection and management and study monitoring: Rose Province, MS, Pascal Hellebuyck, CRA; Marianne Kolopp, MD; Ksenija Mlinar, PhD, Javier Sanchez Lopez, Pharm D. Principal Investigator: Thomas Horbach, MD. On-site data collection and management, surgical support and study monitoring: GERMANY Berlin: Julian Gertz, secretary Obesity Center. Gera: Thomas Manger, MD; Anne Zhamn, RN; Sindy Zimmermann, licensed dietitian/nutritionist. München-Graefelfing: Petra Schumann, MD; Jutta Peters, licensed dietitian/nutritionist. Schwabach: Sophie Krüger, MD; Friederike Eschenbacher, licensed dietitian/nutritionist. ITALY Pisa: Carlo Moretto, MD, PhD; Paola Fierabracci, MD; Ferruccio Santini, MD. Vicenza: Gianni Segato, MD; Andrea Ceoloni, MD. Turin: Daniela Delle Piane, MD. Garda–Verona: Dalle Grave, MD, Nutritional and cognitive/behavioral support. SPAIN Madrid: Andrés Sanchez-Pernaute, MD, PhD; Fernando Lapuente, MD; Felipe Acedo, MD, PhD; Antonio Picardo, MD, PhD; Miguel A Rubio MD, PhD; Patricia Sáez MD; Marta Fernandez-Nespral MD. Seville: Maria Socas, MD; Antonio Barranco, MD; Pedro Pablo García-Luna, MD; Jose Luis Pereira MBChB, MSc; Salvador Sobrino, MD.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, Schön Klinik, Adipositas Zentrum, Fürth, Nürnberg, Germany

    T Horbach

  2. Department of Surgery, Wolfart Klinik, Adipositas Zentrum, München-Graefelfing, Germany

    G Meyer

  3. Departamento de Cirugía, Hospital Virgen del Rocio, Seville, Spain

    S Morales-Conde & I Alarcón

  4. Department of Surgery, Vicenza Regional Hospital, Vicenza, Italy

    F Favretti

  5. Department of Surgery, University Hospital Pisa, Pisa, Italy

    M Anselmino

  6. Department of Surgery, Clinica San Luca, Torino, Italy

    G M Rovera

  7. Department of Surgery, Polyclinique de Rillieux, Clinique Lyon-Nord, Lyon, France

    J Dargent

  8. Department of Surgery, SRH Wald-Klinikum, Adipositas Zentrum, Gera, Germany

    C Stroh

  9. Department of Surgery, C Ev. Krankenhaus Hubertus, Berlin, Germany

    M Susewind

  10. Department of Surgery, Hospital Clinico San Carlos, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain

    A J Torres

  11. Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Department, Hospital Universitario Madrid Monteprincipe, Madrid, Spain

    A J Torres

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  1. T Horbach
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  11. A J Torres
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to A J Torres.

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Competing interests

Dr Horbach reports receiving personal fees from IntraPace for his services as a scientific advisor. He has received honoraria for proctoring and traveling expenses from Johnson & Johnson, Apollo, Torax and the German Society for Gastrointestinal Surgery. Dr Torres reports receiving personal fees from IntraPace for his services as a scientific advisor. He has received honoraria for proctoring and traveling expenses from Ethicon, Covidien and Gore. Drs Meyer, Morales, Alarcon, Favretti, Anselmino, Rovera, Susewind and Dargent have no potential conflict of interest to disclose. The sponsor, IntraPace Inc, funded the clinical sites for screening of the patients, testing, hospitalization, surgery (implant) and data management.

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Horbach, T., Meyer, G., Morales-Conde, S. et al. Closed-loop gastric electrical stimulation versus laparoscopic adjustable gastric band for the treatment of obesity: a randomized 12-month multicenter study. Int J Obes 40, 1891–1898 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2016.159

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