What is Gastric Plication?
Gastric Plication, also known as Gastric Sleeve Plication, is the latest technology available in bariatric surgery and is an alternative to Gastric Sleeve Surgery. Unlike most other bariatric procedures, the Gastric Plication does NOT involve any cutting of the stomach! Gastric Plication is founded on the methodology of a gastric bypass sleeve procedure, but has many advantages over the sleeve gastrectomy. A gastric plication is performed via a laparoscope (a flexible fiber optic medical instrument) inserted through small incisions made in the abdomen. The laparoscope has a tiny camera affixed to the end which transmits video images the surgeon views throughout the procedure. The primary benefit of a laparoscopic procedure is that it is a minimally invasive surgical method. Unlike the sleeve gastrectomy, a gastric plication does not involve removal of gastrointestinal tissue. So what is the gastric sleeve? The “sleeve” is created by suturing folds in gastrointestinal tract with non-absorbable suture materials.