Robotic vs Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy for Obesity

(EARLY Trial)

Overseen By Ricard Corcelles Codina, MD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Ricard Corcelles

Must not be taking: Opioids

Disqualifiers: Previous bariatric surgeries, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 4

Duration: 1 week

91 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial compares two surgical techniques for weight loss: laparoscopic and robotic sleeve gastrectomy. The researchers aim to determine which method results in less postoperative pain and to evaluate factors such as the surgeon's ease of use and patient quality of life. The study will also assess how well each method aids in weight loss and addresses other health issues over the following year. Suitable participants qualify for weight loss surgery based on current guidelines, can safely undergo surgery, and are not on long-term opioid medications. As an unphased trial, this study offers participants the chance to contribute to valuable research that could enhance surgical techniques and patient outcomes.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that these surgical techniques are safe for obesity treatment?

Research has shown that robotic sleeve gastrectomy (RSG) is generally safe. In one study, only 1.1% of patients experienced unwanted side effects related to the robotic system, and no deaths occurred, suggesting that the robotic method is well-tolerated.

For laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG), studies also indicate safety with few complications. Specifically, one study reported no deaths and a leakage rate of just 1.2%, indicating that LSG is generally well-tolerated by patients.

Both methods aim to assist with weight loss and improve health, maintaining a good safety record based on past research. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about these surgical techniques for obesity because they both aim to improve patient outcomes in different ways. The Robotic Sleeve Gastrectomy (RSG) uses robotic assistance to potentially offer greater precision and control during the surgery, which could lead to fewer complications and faster recovery times. Meanwhile, the Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (LSG) is a minimally invasive technique known for smaller incisions and quicker recovery compared to traditional open surgeries. By comparing these methods, researchers hope to determine which approach offers the best balance of safety and effectiveness for patients battling obesity.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for obesity?

This trial will compare Robotic Sleeve Gastrectomy (RSG) with Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (LSG) for obesity. Studies have shown that both robotic and laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomies effectively promote weight loss in people with obesity. Specifically, research indicates that robotic sleeve gastrectomy can result in a loss of about 29.5% of total body weight within a year and helps maintain weight loss over five years. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy also leads to significant weight loss and can improve health issues related to obesity, though some individuals might regain weight after two years. Both treatments are effective, but the best choice depends on individual needs and circumstances. ^{1 5 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Ricard Corcelles Codina, MD

Principal Investigator

The Cleveland Clinic

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals eligible for bariatric surgery to treat obesity, as per NIH guidelines. Participants must be able to consent, be medically cleared for elective surgery, and handle general anesthesia. It's taking place at the Cleveland Clinic Bariatric and Metabolic Institute.

Inclusion Criteria

I am cleared for surgery according to NIH guidelines and can undergo anesthesia.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants undergo either laparoscopic or robotic sleeve gastrectomy

1 week

1 visit (in-person for surgery)

Postoperative Monitoring

Participants are monitored for early postoperative pain and other outcomes

4 weeks

3 visits (in-person or virtual) on postoperative days 1, 7, and 30

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for resolution of medical comorbidities and weight loss

1 year

Periodic follow-up visits

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy
• Robotic Sleeve Gastrectomy

Trial Overview The study compares two types of weight loss surgeries: traditional Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (LSG) and Robotic Sleeve Gastrectomy (RSG). The main focus is on postoperative pain but also looks at surgeon comfort during operation and patient life quality after surgery.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (LSG) Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Sleeve Gastrectomy completed using laparoscopic technique

Group II: Robotic Sleeve Gastrectomy (RSG) Active Control 1 Intervention

Sleeve Gastrectomy completed using robot assistance

Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy is already approved in United States, European Union, Canada for the following indications:

Approved in United States as Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy for:

• Obesity
• Severe obesity with comorbidities

Approved in European Union as Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy for:

• Obesity
• Severe obesity with comorbidities

Approved in Canada as Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy for:

• Obesity
• Severe obesity with comorbidities

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Ricard Corcelles

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1

Recruited

90+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Robotic laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is a safe and effective method for treating morbid obesity, with no peri-operative complications reported in a study of 19 patients.

The procedure demonstrated a mean excess body weight loss of 65.5% one year post-surgery, and the operating time was comparable to traditional LSG techniques, indicating that robotic assistance does not prolong the surgery.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Initial experience with robotic sleeve gastrectomy for morbid obesity. Diamantis, T., Alexandrou, A., Nikiteas, N., et al.[2021]

In a study of 3552 patients undergoing robotic gastrectomy (RG) or laparoscopic gastrectomy (LG) for gastric cancer, RG showed a lower overall complication rate (12.6% vs 15.2%) and less blood loss compared to LG, indicating RG may be safer in the short term.

Both RG and LG had comparable long-term oncological outcomes, suggesting that RG is an effective alternative to LG for gastric cancer treatment, despite concerns about longer operation times and higher costs.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Robotic Gastrectomy Versus Laparoscopic Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer: A Multicenter Cohort Study of 5402 Patients in China. Li, ZY., Zhou, YB., Li, TY., et al.[2023]

In a study of over 72,000 sleeve gastrectomy procedures, robot-assisted sleeve gastrectomy (RSG) was associated with a higher likelihood of conversion to open surgery (2.3% vs 0.2% for laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG)) and a longer average hospital stay (2.1 days vs 1.8 days for LSG).

RSG patients experienced higher hospital charges, with average costs of $47,623 for the initial admission and $57,484 cumulatively in the year following surgery, compared to $35,934 and $43,769 for LSG patients, respectively, indicating no clear advantages of robotic assistance in terms of safety or efficacy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Outcomes following robot-assisted versus laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: the New York State experience. Burstein, MD., Myneni, AA., Towle-Miller, LM., et al.[2022]

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is a safe surgical option for both morbid-obese (MO) and super-morbid-obese (SMO) patients, with no significant differences in operative or postoperative complication rates between the two groups, based on a study of 713 patients from 2008 to 2017.

However, the study found that long-term reoperation and complication rates were higher in the MO group compared to the SMO group, indicating that while LSG is generally safe, morbidly obese patients may face more challenges post-surgery.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Operative and Postoperative Complications of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy in Super and Nonsuper Obese Patients: A Center of Excellence Experience Comparative Study. Vilallonga, R., Hidalgo, M., Garcia Ruiz de Gordejuela, A., et al.[2021]

In a study of 61,493 superobese patients undergoing either robotic-assisted sleeve gastrectomy (RSG) or laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG), RSG was found to have a longer operative time and hospital stay compared to LSG, suggesting it may not be more efficient.

RSG was associated with a significantly higher risk of organ-space surgical site infections, raising concerns about the safety and effectiveness of robotic surgery in superobese patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Perioperative Outcomes of Robotic Versus Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy in the Super-obese. Nasser, H., Ivanics, T., Ranjal, RS., et al.[2020]

Robotic gastrectomy (RG) demonstrated significant advantages over laparoscopic gastrectomy (LG) in treating gastric cancer, including shorter operative times (201 min for RG vs. 231 min for LG) and less blood loss (13 mL for RG vs. 42 mL for LG).

Patients undergoing RG experienced lower postoperative morbidity (1.0% for RG vs. 4.8% for LG) and shorter hospital stays, indicating that RG is a safer and more efficient option for gastric cancer surgery.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Comparison of robotic gastrectomy and laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer: a propensity score-matched analysis. Omori, T., Yamamoto, K., Hara, H., et al.[2022]

Robotic-assisted laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (RALSG) shows low perioperative complication rates and comparable weight loss to traditional laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LASG), based on a study of 108 patients.

While the mean percentage estimated weight loss was greater in the robotic group at 3 and 6 months, the differences were not statistically significant, suggesting that RALSG is a safe alternative to LASG with similar outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Laparoscopic hand-assisted versus robotic-assisted laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: experience of 103 consecutive cases. Kannan, U., Ecker, BL., Choudhury, R., et al.[2016]

Robotic sleeve gastrectomy (RSG) has a longer operative time and is associated with higher rates of serious complications, including leaks and surgical site infections, compared to laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG).

Despite similar lengths of hospital stay and no significant difference in 30-day mortality rates between RSG and LSG, the increased morbidity associated with RSG suggests that laparoscopic techniques should remain the preferred method for sleeve gastrectomy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Robotic versus laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: a MBSAQIP analysis. Fazl Alizadeh, R., Li, S., Inaba, CS., et al.[2020]

In a study of 299 patients (134 robotic sleeve gastrectomy and 165 robotic gastric bypass), robotic sleeve gastrectomy (RSG) was found to have shorter surgical times and fewer long-term complications compared to robotic gastric bypass (RGB).

Both procedures had similar rates of perioperative complications and effective weight loss at one year, indicating that RSG may be a safer and more efficient option than RGB in robotic bariatric surgery.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A comparative retrospective study of robotic sleeve gastrectomy vs robotic gastric bypass. Kosanovic, R., Romero, RJ., Donkor, C., et al.[2022]

Robotic gastrectomy (RG) for gastric cancer was found to be safe in clinical practice, with no conversions to open surgery or in-hospital mortality among 336 patients studied from January 2017 to October 2019.

Surgeons' initial experience with RG showed lower morbidity rates in the first five cases despite longer operative times and increased fatigue, indicating that RG can be safely introduced into surgical practice with proper training.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Safety assessment of robotic gastrectomy and analysis of surgical learning process: a multicenter cohort study. Shimoike, N., Nishigori, T., Yamashita, Y., et al.[2022]

Citations

1. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37606806/

Long-Term Outcome of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy ... This study aimed to present our long-term laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) efficacy in terms of weight loss and obesity-related complications resolution.

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6528116/

Long-term outcomes of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy Long-term follow-up reveals a tendency to weight regain after approximately 2 years from primary surgery, with the need for revisional surgery in some cases.

3. journals.lww.com journals.lww.com/annalsofsurgery/fulltext/2017/03000/laparoscopic_sleeve_gastrectomy_versus.8.aspx

Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy Versus Roux-Y-Gastric.. ... In this trial, LSG and LRYGB are equally efficient regarding weight loss, quality of life, and complications up to 3 years postsurgery.

4. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1015958424012697

Comparing long-term outcomes between laparoscopic ... The aim of this study is to compare the degree of long-term weight loss, remission of co-morbidities and complication rates following LRYGB and LSG procedures.

5. jamanetwork.com jamanetwork.com/journals/jamasurgery/fullarticle/2793539

Effect of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy vs Roux-en-Y ... In this 10-year follow-up of a randomized clinical trial including 240 patients, both LSG and LRYGB resulted in good and sustainable weight loss.

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5406732/

Five-year outcomes of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy as ... In this study, a standardized LSG proved to be safe (no mortality and a leakage rate of 1.2%) and highly effective in terms of weight loss after 5-year of ...

7. nature.com nature.com/articles/s41598-021-02999-1

Safety and effectiveness of reduced-port laparoscopic ... In this study, we found that SPSG and RPSG showed weight loss outcomes similar to CLSG. The groups were similar throughout the follow-up period ...

8. link.springer.com link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00423-025-03680-1

unveiling long-term weight and co-morbidity outcomes up ... LSG demonstrates sustained weight loss and resolution of comorbidities with low complication rates. The influence of initial obesity class on ...