Emergence and current developments in endoscopic bariatric surgery

Obesity has become a global epidemic that poses a severe threat to human health. It can induce multisystem metabolic and organic disorders, imposing a heavy burden on public health systems. Among patients with severe obesity, some are reluctant to undergo traditional bariatric surgery due to concerns regarding associated surgical risks, the irreversibility of the procedure, and long‑term nutrition‑related complications. Given these cirrcumstances endoscopic bariatric surgery has emerged as a promising alternative. It not only achieves significant weight loss and improves patients′ health status, but also enriches the clinical options for minimally invasive obesity treat-ment, prompting a re‑evaluation and optimization of existing obesity management strategies. The authors summarize the indications, mechanisms of action, clinical advantages, current challenges and future development directions of endoscopic bariatric surgery for obesity, aiming to facilitate the comprehensive management of this chronic disease.