Study on a New Energy Device in Bariatric Surgery in France, the Sound Reach™ System

¹ Polyclinique Lyon Nord, 65, rue des Contamines, F-69140 Rillieux-la-Pape, France
² Clinique chirurgicale mutualiste, 3, rue Le Verrier, BP 209, F-42100 Saint-Étienne, France

^* e-mail : jerome.dargent@polyclinique-rillieux.fr
^* e-mail : PBLANC@mutualite-loire.com

Abstract

Current laparoscopic bariatric operations (e.g. gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomies) require systematically the use of an energy device, meant for dissection and coagulation. Several companies make them, the US Medtronic and Ethicon being dominant, with published favorable results. A trial has been conducted with devices created by the company REACH Surgical Inc (Beijin, China): Sound Reach device in two centers in France (Lyon, Saint-Etienne) and three different surgeons. Thirty interventions have been carried out (21 sleeve gastrectomies, 1 bypass, and 8 gastric band removals), 27 F and 3 H, mean age 40, mean weight 99 kg, and mean BMI 40,4. From 0 to 5, the average note for ergonomics has been 3.5, and 4.5 for safety. There was no intra-operative incidents, but a post-operative hematoma treated by surveillance only at D2. The overall impression has been that this device was safe and effective.