WAYNE, PA — Teleflex Incorporated (NYSE: TFX) announced the publication of a new retrospective study linking the use of its Titan SGS™ Stapler with significantly reduced rates of post-operative gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in patients undergoing robotic-assisted laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). This analysis, based on data from 257 patients treated between 2016 and 2023 by a single surgeon, reinforces the potential of the Titan SGS™ Stapler to improve clinical outcomes in bariatric surgery. The findings were published online in Obesity Surgery.
A Solution to Persistent GERD Concerns
Sleeve gastrectomy is the most common bariatric procedure in the United States, offering patients an effective obesity treatment with generally low adverse event rates. However, GERD remains a concern, with a 2024 review highlighting the persistent and sometimes new onset of GERD in patients after surgery. Traditional multi-fire staplers have been associated with inconsistent sleeve pouch shapes, contributing to variability in GERD rates among patients.
The Titan SGS™ Stapler, a first-of-its-kind single-fire stapler designed specifically for sleeve pouch creation, addresses these issues by enabling a 23cm continuous staple line free of kinks or twists. This innovative design aims to produce a more consistent tubular sleeve anatomy, reducing the likelihood of GERD and other post-operative complications.
“The Titan SGS™ Stapler was developed to enable more consistent and symmetrical sleeve anatomy because we believe that sleeve shape significantly contributes to sleeve gastrectomy efficacy and safety outcomes,” said James Ferguson, President and General Manager, Surgical, at Teleflex.
Study Findings
According to the study, patients treated with the Titan SGS™ Stapler experienced markedly better GERD outcomes one year after surgery compared with those treated using traditional multi-fire staplers. Key findings include:
- Fewer patients in the Titan SGS™ Stapler cohort reported GERD (7.1%) compared to the multi-fire cohort (26.4%) (p = 0.002).
- The development of new GERD cases (de novo GERD) was significantly lower in the Titan cohort (1.8%) versus the multi-fire group (10.9%) (p = 0.005).
- Patients with pre-existing GERD achieved higher resolution rates in the Titan cohort (25% vs. 10.9%, p = 0.005).
Despite GERD improvements, both cohorts achieved comparable weight loss at one year, with no significant difference in outcomes (Titan SGS™ Stapler cohort: 22.0%, multi-fire cohort: 22.4%, p = 0.8).
“These results suggest that consistent sleeve shape may play a role in reducing GERD,” explained Ferguson. Study authors hypothesized that the single continuous staple line produced by the Titan SGS™ Stapler minimizes the kinks and overlapping staple firings often seen with multi-fire staplers, leading to improved sleeve uniformity and reduced mechanical complications.
Expert Commentary
“Improving clinical outcomes for patients—including the development of post-operative GERD—may be important for wider adoption of bariatric surgery, which remains the most effective and durable obesity treatment,” said Dr. Forrest Ringold, senior researcher and a recognized expert in bariatric and robotic surgery. “This study shows that GERD was less common in LSG procedures that used the Titan SGS™ Stapler. I believe this is because the 23cm single-fire Titan SGS™ Stapler is intentionally designed to enable more consistent and symmetrical sleeve anatomy. This study adds to a growing body of evidence supporting the potentially enhanced perioperative benefits linked to the Titan SGS™ Stapler in sleeve gastrectomy.”
Broader Implications
The Titan SGS™ Stapler has also demonstrated advantages in previous studies, highlighting reduced operative times, less post-operative nausea and vomiting, and enhanced operational efficiencies, including shorter hospital stays and decreased readmissions.
This latest study bolsters the case for the Titan SGS™ Stapler as a critical innovation in bariatric surgery, with its design addressing persistent challenges like GERD while maintaining weight-loss efficacy. The findings have significant implications for advancing standard practices in sleeve gastrectomy and improving long-term patient outcomes.
With the Titan SGS™ Stapler’s demonstrated benefits and its ability to enhance procedural consistency, Teleflex is poised to set new benchmarks in surgical technology, moving bariatric care toward greater effectiveness and broader accessibility.
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