Is reimplantation of the duodenal-jejunal bypass liner feasible?

BACKGROUND

The endoscopic ally implanted DJBL is a 60-cm impermeable fluoropolymer device, which prevents food from making contact with the proximal intestine. It was designed to induce weight loss and treat type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of duodenal-jejunal bypass liner (DJBL) reimplantation.

SETTING

Prospective, observational study was conducted at the department of surgery and gastroenterology of the Rijnstate hospital, Arnhem, the Netherlands, between 2009 and 2011.

METHODS

Five obese patients with T2DM with body mass index (BMI) = Mass (kg) / height (m(2)), ranging from 30-35 kg/m(2) who completed the follow-up after their first implant and underwent removal of the DJBL after 6 months, were selected for reimplantation after an additional 18 months of follow-up. Weight loss, BMI, and HbA1 c were analyzed before and twelve months after reimplantation.

RESULTS

In all 5 patients, the DJBL was implanted and explanted without any complications. Also the reimplantation and reexplantation occurred without any complications. Median weight decreased significantly from 105 kg to 95 kg, and BMI decreased from 33 to 29. The glycated hemoglobin (HbA1 c) level decreased from 8.4% to 7.3% by the first implantation but it wasn't significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Reimplantation of DJBL is feasible, deemed safe, and showed additional weight loss.