The TORe (Endoscopic Transoral Outlet Reduction) method is an endoscopic approach used to correct complications related to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, a common bariatric surgery to treat morbid obesity. This procedure uses the Apollo OverStitch suture system to correct the dilation of the gastro-jejunal anastomosis or stoma, which is the junction created between the stomach and small intestine during gastric bypass. Previously, it is usually necessary to refresh the edges of the stoma by burning them with an argon-plasma laser.
Gastrojejunal stoma dilation may occur over time and may lead to an increase in food intake, resulting in insufficient weight loss or regain of lost weight after the intervention. The TORe method seeks to again reduce the size of this dilated stoma to restore proper gastric bypass restrictions and promote further weight loss.
Reducing the size of the anastomosis restores the restriction on the amount of food that can pass from the stomach to the small intestine, which may help patients lose weight or maintain previous weight loss.
The TORe method is much less invasive than laparoscopic revision surgery and offers a faster recovery with fewer associated risks, so it can be performed on an outpatient basis. However, as with any medical procedure, there are potential risks, including complications such as bleeding, perforation or infection. With this method, weight losses of 10-12% have been reported.