Moutzoukis MK, Argyriou K, Manolakis A, Kapsoritakis A, Christodoulou D. Endoscopic bariatrics: Current status and emerging technologies. World J Gastrointest Endosc 2025; 17(10): 109031 [DOI: 10.4253/wjge.v17.i10.109031]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Konstantinos Argyriou, Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospital of Larissa, Mezourlo, Larissa GR41110, Greece. kosnar2@doctors.org.uk
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Gastroenterology & Hepatology
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Review
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This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Oct 16, 2025 (publication date) through Oct 21, 2025
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World Journal of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
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1948-5190
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Baishideng Publishing Group Inc, 7041 Koll Center Parkway, Suite 160, Pleasanton, CA 94566, USA
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Moutzoukis MK, Argyriou K, Manolakis A, Kapsoritakis A, Christodoulou D. Endoscopic bariatrics: Current status and emerging technologies. World J Gastrointest Endosc 2025; 17(10): 109031 [DOI: 10.4253/wjge.v17.i10.109031]
World J Gastrointest Endosc. Oct 16, 2025; 17(10): 109031 Published online Oct 16, 2025. doi: 10.4253/wjge.v17.i10.109031
Endoscopic bariatrics: Current status and emerging technologies
Miltiadis K Moutzoukis, Konstantinos Argyriou, Anastasios Manolakis, Andreas Kapsoritakis, Dimitrios Christodoulou
Miltiadis K Moutzoukis, Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospital of Ioannina, Ioannina GR45333, Greece
Konstantinos Argyriou, Anastasios Manolakis, Andreas Kapsoritakis, Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospital of Larissa, Larissa GR41110, Greece
Dimitrios Christodoulou, Department of Gastroenterology, University of Ioannina Medical School, Ioannina GR45500, Greece
Co-first authors: Miltiadis K Moutzoukis and Konstantinos Argyriou.
Author contributions: Moutzoukis MK wrote and edited the original manuscript; Argyriou K, Manolakis A, Kapsoritakis A, and Christodoulou D reviewed and approved the submitted manuscript; Argyriou K and Christodoulou D conceived the study, edited and finalized the manuscript for submission.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Open Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Konstantinos Argyriou, Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospital of Larissa, Mezourlo, Larissa GR41110, Greece. kosnar2@doctors.org.uk
Received: April 28, 2025 Revised: June 16, 2025 Accepted: September 16, 2025 Published online: October 16, 2025 Processing time: 171 Days and 11.1 Hours
Abstract
Endoscopic bariatrics has emerged as a minimally invasive alternative to traditional bariatric procedures. Over the last decade, significant progress in endoscopic techniques and technologies has improved the safety, efficacy, and accessibility of these procedures. Current methods, such as intragastric balloons, endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty, and endoscopic-assisted gastrojejunostomy, have promoted weight loss, improving the metabolic health of obese individuals, with emerging evidence suggesting that their combination with pharmacological agents could further maximize their benefit. Emerging technologies, such as robotic-assisted endoscopic devices, advanced imaging systems, and biodegradable implants, could enhance procedural precision, minimize complications, and provide more personalized treatment options. In contrast, novel approaches such as microbiome modulation and tissue regeneration could have an adjunct role in improving patient outcomes. This review provides a brief overview of the current status of endoscopic bariatrics, highlighting the most common procedures and emerging technologies. It also discusses the challenges and future directions for the field, emphasizing the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration, patient selection, and research priorities to establish the long-term benefit and effectiveness of the available endoscopic bariatric interventions.
Core Tip: Obesity is a global health problem with increasing prevalence but with limited treatment options. Dietary and pharmacologic measures are often ineffective, with surgery being reserved for the refractory cases. Therapeutic endoscopy provides several minimally invasive options to manage obesity with promising results. However, their use has not been widely adopted. In our article, by reviewing all the relevant literature, we critically appraise all available endoscopic treatments to facilitate clinical decision-making and highlight areas that need to be investigated in future studies.
