Surgical System Facilitates Sleeve Gastrectomy Procedures

A novel single-incision laparoscopic (SILS) system offers weight-loss surgery patients less scarring, limited postoperative pain, and a fast recovery to normal activities.

The SPIDER System is based on an 18-mm SILS circumference platform that offers the surgeon access to four ports at the operating site, two accommodating rigid instruments, and two accommodating flexible instruments. The surgeon inserts a camera into one of the rigid ports; through the flexible ports, proprietary articulating instruments, which can be manipulated 360 degrees, are inserted. Among the tools available are a wavy grasper, a Maryland dissector, shears, a suction irrigator, a fenestrated grasper, a clip applier, a monopolar hook, a needle driver, and a low profile specimen extraction bag.


During the sleeve gastrectomy, the surgeon removes about 80% of the stomach, leaving a small section that follows the major curve; the open edges are then attached together to form a sleeve or tube with a banana shape. The procedure permanently reduces the size of the stomach. The largest benefit of the surgery is that the missing portions of the stomach no longer produce the hormone of Ghrelin. When the procedure is completed, the surgeon removes all instruments and the camera, closes the SPIDER System, and removes it through the same small incision. The SPIDER System and the proprietary articulating instruments are products of TransEnterix (Durham, NC, USA).

“The sleeve gastrectomy is the nation’s fastest growing option for surgically supported weight loss because of its appealing patient benefits,” said Robyn Ache, MD, of Sun Coast Bariatrics (St. Petersburg, FL, USA). “Unlike other weight-loss operations, there is no rerouting of the body’s natural pathway for food, or implantation of a device that requires frequent adjustments.”

SILS has been used to perform many types of surgery, including adjustable gastric banding, appendectomy, cholecystectomy, hernia repair, hysterectomy, and others. When compared with traditional multiport laparoscopic techniques, benefits include less postoperative pain, less blood loss, faster recovery time, and better cosmetic results. Despite the potential advantages, there may also be complications, including significant postoperative pain, injury to organs, bleeding, infection, incisional hernia, intestinal adhesions, and scarring.

Related Links:
TransEnterix
Sun Coast Bariatrics