Comparing Reduction With ESD- Versus APC-TORe

NCT ID: NCT06131281

Last Updated: 2025-11-10

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

70 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2023-10-02

Study Completion Date

2026-04-30

Brief Summary

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The goal of this clinical trial is to compare two variations of the same procedure used to assist with weight loss in patients who have a history of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass who have experienced weight regain. The procedure being studied is called the Transoral Outlet Reduction (TORe), and the trial will compare two different ways to complete the TORe procedure. The main question\[s\] it aims to answer are:

* Which variation of the TORe procedure results in more weight loss?
* Which variation of the TORe is safer? Participants who are eligible and willing to undergo the TORe procedure to assist with weight loss will have the procedure completed either one of the two ways. All other care will be exactly the same between the two groups. Researchers will compare outcomes between the two procedure variations, looking at which one results in more weight loss, is more successful, and safer.

Detailed Description

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Weight regain after having a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is common. One of the primary reasons for weight regain after bypass is stretching out or "dilation" of the surgical connection created between what is left of the stomach and the small intestine (called the anastamosis). As the ability to suture with the help of a scope inserted through the mouth into the stomach instead of surgery, the transoral outlet reduction (TORe) was developed. The TORe involves suturing around the stretched out anastamosis, allowing it to be pulled tighter and shrink down, resulting in weight loss, and is an entirely endoscopic and reversible procedure. As the procedure advanced, "burning" of the stomach lining using a technique called argon plasma coagulation (APC), in addition to suturing, became the standard way to perform the TORe procedure. The APC helps the stomach tissue shrink even more and heal into place better, causing even more weight loss. This is now the classic way to perform the TORe (hereby called the "c-TORe"), and is now widely used to help patients who have regained weight after gastric bypass.

Multiple studies report the c-TORe results in an average of 8-9% total body weight loss. However more recently, another variation of the TORe was developed, which uses endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). In the ESD-TORe (hereby called the E-TORe), the physician makes a small cut in the surface layer of the anastamosis in addition to APC and suturing. In the only study comparing c-TORe to E-TORe, E-TORe resulted in significantly more weight loss. However, there are several limitations to this study that require more investigation.

This clinical trial will compare the c-TORe and the E-TORe. Patients who are eligible and willing to undergo a TORe procedure will be assigned to get either the c-TORe or the E-TORe. They will undergo the procedure with a physician experienced in both types of the procedure. Participants will be followed for one year after the procedure to compare which procedure type results in more weight loss.

Conditions

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Obesity Roux-en-y Anastomosis Site Weight Gain

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Prospective, single-blinded, randomized controlled trial
Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

SINGLE

Participants
Participants will be blinded to which procedure they received. The physician performing the procedure cannot be blinded to the procedure type.

Study Groups

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E-TORe

Participants in this arm received the E-TORe procedure

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

E-TORe

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

The E-TORe utilizes ESD in addition to APC prior to endoscopic suturing. In this approach, a standardized solution of normal saline or hetastarch mixed with methylene blue and epinephrine is injected into the gastric rim of the GJA outlet. The mucosa is then carefully incised to expose the underlying muscular layer for a width of approximately 1cm around the GJA circumference. Following ESD, APC is then applied to the inner and outer mucosal margins of the ESD tract. Finally, endoscopic sutures are then placed in purse string fashion and cinched closed around a 6mm TTS balloon.

c-TORe

Participants in this arm received the "classical" or c-TORe procedure

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

c-TORe

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

The c-TORe will be completed utilizing APC prior to endoscopic suturing. In this approach, the gastric rim of the anastomosis is circumferentially ablated using APC (forced APC, flow of 0.8 L/min and power of 30-70 watts) extending an average of 1-2 cm from the outlet. Following ablation, endoscopic sutures are placed in a purse string fashion within the ablated area and the outlet cinched closed over a 6mm through-the scope (TTS) balloon.

Interventions

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E-TORe

The E-TORe utilizes ESD in addition to APC prior to endoscopic suturing. In this approach, a standardized solution of normal saline or hetastarch mixed with methylene blue and epinephrine is injected into the gastric rim of the GJA outlet. The mucosa is then carefully incised to expose the underlying muscular layer for a width of approximately 1cm around the GJA circumference. Following ESD, APC is then applied to the inner and outer mucosal margins of the ESD tract. Finally, endoscopic sutures are then placed in purse string fashion and cinched closed around a 6mm TTS balloon.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

c-TORe

The c-TORe will be completed utilizing APC prior to endoscopic suturing. In this approach, the gastric rim of the anastomosis is circumferentially ablated using APC (forced APC, flow of 0.8 L/min and power of 30-70 watts) extending an average of 1-2 cm from the outlet. Following ablation, endoscopic sutures are placed in a purse string fashion within the ablated area and the outlet cinched closed over a 6mm through-the scope (TTS) balloon.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Other Intervention Names

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ESD-TORe, endoscopic submucosal dissection TORe classic TORe, APC-TORe, argon plasma coagulation TORe

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Adult patients with history of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and weight regain
* Dilated gastrojejunal anastamosis as diagnosed on endoscopy
* Patients undergoing standard of care for treatment of obesity with endoscopic revisional procedure (a.k.a. TORe) who are enrolled in the GI Bariatric Endoscopy program and clinic at the study site

Exclusion Criteria

* Prior revision of gastric bypass
* Active and uncontrolled gastro-esophageal reflux disease defined as ≥ grade C esophagitis
* Active untreated Helicobacter pylori infection
* Malignancy newly diagnosed by endoscopy
* Upper gastro-intestinal conditions such as ulcers, polyps, gastric varices, strictures, congenital or acquired intestinal telangiectasia or other abnormalities that preclude completion of TORe
* Presence of gastrogastric or gastroenteric fistula
* Inability to undergo general anesthesia
* Participating in another ongoing clinical trial of an investigational weight loss drug or device
* Active pregnancy
* Use of anticoagulation therapy or P2Y12 inhibitors which cannot be discontinued for the time frame surrounding the procedure
* Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
* Unwillingness to comply with standard post-TORe dietary guidelines and follow-up care
* Any other anatomical, technical or otherwise factor that limits the ability of the endoscopist to perform either E-TORe or c-TORe
* Any additional factor, which in the investigator's opinion, might jeopardize the subject's safety or compliance with the trial protocol
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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Stephen Firkins

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Stephen Firkins

Co-Director of Bariatric Endoscopy

Responsibility Role SPONSOR_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Stephen Firkins, MD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

The Cleveland Clinic

Locations

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Cleveland Clinic Foundation

Cleveland, Ohio, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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United States

Central Contacts

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Stephen Firkins, MD

Role: CONTACT

Phone: 2164448460

Email: [email protected]

Facility Contacts

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Ste Firkins, MD

Role: primary

References

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Provided Documents

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Document Type: Study Protocol and Statistical Analysis Plan

View Document

Other Identifiers

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23-886

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id