Experimental and Computational Analysis of Stomach Mechanics in Post-Bariatric Configurations

Nowadays, obesity is a growing global health problem associated with high BMI value (>30) and multiple comorbidities. Approximately, in all sociodemographic strata 4 million deaths worldwide are attributable to obesity, most due to cardiovascular diseases [1]. The use of bariatric surgery in the treatment of obesity is increasingly applied throughout the world. The surgical approach has proved to be the most effective treatment with respect to pharmacological or life-style interventions in inducing excessive weight loss and remission of type 2 diabetes [2]. However, surgical procedures are not without risk and complications are frequent. Non-optimal intervention design and surgery invasiveness can compromise treatment success. Experimental and computational investigations have been exploited in order to analyze the influence of bariatric intervention on stomach functionality. The adjustable gastric band and the vertical sleeve gastrectomy, belonging to the laparoscopic restrictive interventions, were considered.