Innovations in laparoscopic and endoluminal technique at the end of the 20th century contributed to the more than ten-fold growth in metabolic/bariatric surgery (MBS) over the last twenty years. MBS procedures became markedly safer and more acceptable to patients. Even so, in 2022, MBS is vastly underutilized. Obesity and its associated diseases continue to generate a tidal wave of human suffering and unchecked health care costs. ^1-6

Primary barriers to MBS persist: stigma faced by patients and fear of the risks of major surgery; inadequate insurance coverage; eligibility and reimbursement hurdles in nationalized health systems; and the distressing shortfall of referrals for surgery. Despite its proven safety, fewer than 0.1% of the eligible patients worldwide undergo MBS. ^4,7

We all wish to halt this damaging trend. Minimally invasive approaches that further reduce operative risk and enhance MBS adoption are crucially needed. Magnetic surgery is such an approach.

Magnets have been applied by surgeons to gain exposure, dissect tissue planes, achieve hemostasis, and recently, to create an anastomosis — a central feature of many gastrointestinal, thoracic, biliary, colorectal, urological, and vascular procedures. GT has developed novel incisionless technology that employs magnetic compression to tunnel and heal an anastomosis, obviating the need for sutures, staples, clips, and glue.

In contrast with conventional anastomosis formation, magnetic compression technology requires no cutting or retention of foreign material.⁸ Healing takes place gradually over 7-21 days, facilitating optimal collagen deposition that yields a strong and durable anastomosis. The goal is that by utilizing this natural process, fewer acute leaks, infections, strictures, and ulcerations will occur.

Magnetic delayed anastomosis technologies (DAT) make it possible to decouple major segments of large operations, staging them as smaller, faster procedures requiring less anesthesia.⁸ DAT are easy to use and low cost in both primary and revisional procedures. I believe that the immensely innovative MBS field will identify numerous opportunities in which to incorporate magnetic compression anastomosis, and in so doing, reduce morbidity and mortality.

GT’s concepts and devices have been in development for over 10 years and are now poised to dramatically increase the number of MBS procedures performed globally. Please join with us to add incisionless magnetic surgery to your MBS armamentarium. Together, we will advance the scope of safe minimally invasive surgery and help many more patients.