Bariatric surgery

On May 31, 2022, the French National Authority for Health (HAS) published the final positive opinion on the coverage of the endoscopic gastroplasty with the ENDOMINA triangulation platform under the Innovation package (Forfait innovation).

On April 25, 2022, the Decision Forum for "New Method" did not prioritize any surgical procedure in the treatment of morbid obesity. Available evidence in the complete method assessment shows minor or no difference in weight loss, diabetes control, or health-related quality of life when using various surgical procedures. The comparative effect on the risk of early mortality, progression of obesity, and obesity-related comorbidities was not possible to determine. The cost differences are non-significant. Further research was recommended.

On January 20, 2022, the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges (AoMRC) launched a consultation on the latest set of guidance (List 3) of the Evidence-based Interventions (EBI) Programme. EBI program develops guidance sets (Lists) for tests, treatments, and procedures based on recommendations from the Expert Advisory Committee and NICE assessments. Proposed List 3 covers 17 interventions across a range of medical specialties, including cardiology, ophthalmology, urology, and others. The deadline for comments submission is March 31, 2022.

At the beginning of August 2021, the European Network for Health Technology Assessment, EUnetHTA, released a final report on the surgical procedures for the treatment of obesity. The results suggest little or no difference in the effects of different bariatric surgery procedures on weight loss and diabetes control. However, the results are based mainly on low to very low certainty evidence, with few or even single studies providing data for many of the comparisons.

In July 2021, the Austrian Institute for Health Technology Assessment (AIHTA) published six new decision support documents and one update to a previous decision support document. The assessed topics included percutaneous left ventricular assist devices, liposuction for surgical therapy of lipoedema, triphasic biomaterial for augmentation of the osteoporotic femoral neck, endoscopic plication therapy in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), allogenic bone screw Shark Screw® in patients with hallux valgus or scaphoid fractures/pseudarthroses, and surgical interventions for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. The updated decision support document concerned implantable bulking agents for fecal incontinence.