Abstract
Currently, endoscopic and laparoscopic bariatric treatments for morbid obesity have been performed worldwide. The general indication is ≥ 40 kg/m2 BMI or ≥ 35kg/m2 BMI with severe comorbidities, but Asian bariatric surgeons have recently attempted to enlarge this indication. Nowadays, one endoscopic bariatric treatment which has been mainly performed is endoscopic intragastric balloon placement, and more recently, endoscopic duodenal-jejunal bypass sleeve (liner) and gastroplasty have been developed and the results reported. In Japan, about 100 patients with morbid obesity have annually undergone endoscopic and laparoscopic bariatric treatments. Although the endoscopic treatments are currently not equivalent to laparoscopic bariatric surgery in terms of the efficacy and continuity, they are expected to replace the surgery through the future development and innovation of new devices and technologies.
