A new endoscopy technique called anchor-assisted endoscopic ultrasound-guided gastroenterostomy successfully treated stomach blockages in all 12 patients in a pilot study, with 100% success and zero serious complications. According to research reviewed by Gram, all patients could eat regular food within one week of the procedure, and the median procedure time was just 30 minutes. This retrievable anchor system represents a promising less-invasive alternative to surgery for people with stomach outlet obstruction.
Researchers tested a new way to treat stomach blockages using a special endoscope (a thin camera tube doctors put down your throat). The technique, called anchor-assisted endoscopic ultrasound-guided gastroenterostomy, uses a retrievable anchor system and a metal stent to create a new opening so food can bypass the blockage. In a pilot study of 12 patients with stomach outlet obstruction from cancer or benign causes, the procedure worked perfectly every time. All patients could eat regular food within a week, and nobody experienced serious complications. This Gram Research analysis suggests the technique could become an important treatment option for people who can’t eat normally due to stomach blockages.
Key Statistics
A 2025 pilot feasibility study of 12 patients found that anchor-assisted endoscopic ultrasound-guided gastroenterostomy achieved 100% technical and clinical success rates for treating stomach outlet obstruction, with all patients resuming solid food intake within 7 days.
According to research reviewed by Gram, the median procedure time for anchor-assisted endoscopic ultrasound-guided gastroenterostomy was 30 minutes, with all 12 patients resuming liquid intake by day 2 and soft diets by day 3 post-procedure.
A pilot study published in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy in 2025 reported zero procedure-related serious adverse events in 12 patients undergoing anchor-assisted endoscopic ultrasound-guided gastroenterostomy for stomach outlet obstruction.
The retrievable anchor-assisted technique for endoscopic ultrasound-guided gastroenterostomy worked equally well for both cancer-related and benign stomach blockages in a 12-patient pilot study, with 100% success achieving bypass of the obstruction.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether a new endoscopy technique using an anchor system can safely and effectively treat stomach blockages that prevent people from eating normally.
- Who participated: Twelve patients with stomach outlet obstruction caused by either cancer or benign (non-cancerous) conditions. The study ran from August 2023 to February 2025.
- Key finding: The procedure succeeded 100% of the time. All 12 patients could tolerate solid food within one week, and no serious complications occurred.
- What it means for you: If you have a stomach blockage, this technique offers a promising alternative to surgery. However, this is a small pilot study, so larger studies are needed before it becomes widely available. Talk to your doctor about whether this might be appropriate for your situation.
The Research Details
This was a pilot feasibility study, which means researchers tested a new technique on a small group of patients to see if it works and is safe before trying it on larger groups. Twelve patients with stomach outlet obstruction (a blockage that prevents food from leaving the stomach) received the new procedure called anchor-assisted endoscopic ultrasound-guided gastroenterostomy, or AA-EUS-GE for short.
During the procedure, doctors used an endoscope (a thin tube with a camera) to look inside the stomach. Using ultrasound imaging to guide them, they created a new opening between the stomach and the small intestine, bypassing the blockage. They used a special anchor system to hold everything in place and inserted a metal stent (a tiny expandable tube) to keep the new opening open. The metal stent was designed to be removable if needed.
Researchers tracked how long the procedure took, whether it worked technically, whether patients could eat normally afterward, and whether anyone experienced serious side effects.
This research approach is important because stomach blockages are serious problems that can prevent people from eating and getting nutrition. Traditional treatments often require surgery, which carries higher risks. This pilot study tests whether a less invasive endoscopic technique could work just as well. The retrievable anchor system is a novel feature that may make the procedure safer and more reliable than previous endoscopic approaches.
This is a small pilot study with only 12 patients, so results should be viewed as preliminary. The study had no control group for comparison. However, the 100% success rate with zero serious complications is impressive for a new technique. The study was conducted at a specialized center with experienced endoscopists, so results may not apply everywhere. Larger, multi-center studies are needed to confirm these findings before the technique becomes standard treatment.
What the Results Show
Both technical success (the procedure worked as intended) and clinical success (patients could eat solid food within one week) reached 100% in all 12 patients. The median procedure time was just 30 minutes, which is relatively quick for this type of intervention. All patients resumed liquid intake by day 2 after the procedure, soft diets by day 3, and regular diets within 7 days.
No procedure-related serious adverse events occurred in any patient. This means nobody experienced major complications like perforation (a hole in the stomach), bleeding, or infection that required hospitalization or additional treatment. The safety profile was excellent across the entire group, regardless of whether patients had cancer-related or benign blockages.
The technique worked equally well for both types of blockages studied: those caused by cancer and those caused by benign conditions. The retrievable anchor system successfully maintained the new opening between the stomach and small intestine in all cases. The electrocautery-enhanced lumen-apposing metal stent (a heated metal tube) appeared to be effective at creating and maintaining the bypass opening. Recovery was rapid, with most patients able to resume normal eating within a week.
Previous endoscopic ultrasound-guided gastroenterostomy techniques have reported success rates ranging from 70% to 90%, with some patients experiencing complications. This pilot study’s 100% success rate with zero serious complications suggests the anchor-assisted approach may be an improvement. However, direct comparisons are difficult because this is a small, specialized study. Larger studies comparing this new technique to traditional methods and previous endoscopic approaches are needed.
The main limitation is the very small sample size of only 12 patients. Results from small studies can sometimes not hold up when tested in larger groups. There was no control group for comparison, so we cannot say definitively that this technique is better than alternatives. The study was conducted at a specialized center with experienced doctors, so results may not apply at all hospitals. The follow-up period was relatively short (one week for eating tolerance), so we don’t know about long-term outcomes like whether the opening stays open over months or years. Finally, this is a pilot study, which means it was designed to test feasibility, not to provide definitive proof of effectiveness.
The Bottom Line
Based on this pilot study, anchor-assisted endoscopic ultrasound-guided gastroenterostomy appears to be a safe and effective option for treating stomach outlet obstruction. However, confidence in this recommendation is moderate because the study is small and preliminary. Patients with stomach blockages should discuss this technique with their gastroenterologist as a potential alternative to surgery or other treatments. Larger clinical trials are needed before this becomes standard treatment everywhere.
This research is most relevant to people with stomach outlet obstruction who cannot eat normally due to blockages caused by cancer or benign conditions. Gastroenterologists and surgeons who treat these patients should be aware of this promising new technique. Healthcare systems considering adopting new endoscopic procedures may find this feasibility data useful. People who have had previous failed attempts at treating stomach blockages might benefit from this approach. However, this technique is not yet widely available and should only be performed by experienced endoscopists at specialized centers.
Based on this study, patients can expect to resume liquid intake within 2 days and regular solid food within 7 days after the procedure. However, long-term durability of the opening is unknown from this pilot study. Patients should expect to have follow-up appointments to monitor whether the bypass opening remains open and functional over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a stomach blockage and why is it dangerous?
A stomach blockage, or gastric outlet obstruction, prevents food from leaving the stomach and entering the small intestine. This causes nausea, vomiting, and malnutrition because people cannot eat normally. Blockages can result from cancer, ulcers, or scar tissue.
How does the new anchor-assisted endoscopy technique work?
Doctors use an endoscope (thin camera tube) guided by ultrasound to create a new opening between the stomach and small intestine, bypassing the blockage. A retrievable anchor system and metal stent keep the opening stable and allow food to pass through normally.
Is this procedure safer than stomach surgery?
This pilot study showed zero serious complications, suggesting excellent safety. However, this is a small preliminary study. Traditional surgery carries higher risks of infection and longer recovery. Larger studies are needed to compare safety directly between the two approaches.
How quickly can people eat after this procedure?
According to the pilot study, patients resumed liquid intake by day 2, soft diets by day 3, and regular solid food within 7 days. Recovery is much faster than traditional surgery, which typically requires weeks of dietary restrictions.
Is this procedure available at all hospitals?
No, this is a new technique currently available only at specialized centers with experienced endoscopists. The pilot study was conducted at a specialized facility. Wider availability will depend on additional research and training of more doctors in this technique.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track daily food tolerance by logging the types of foods eaten (liquids, soft foods, regular foods) and any symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain. Note the date of the procedure and monitor progression from liquids to regular diet.
- Users who undergo this procedure can use the app to set daily eating goals, starting with liquids on day 2, soft foods on day 3, and advancing to regular foods by day 7. The app can send reminders to gradually increase food intake and track tolerance.
- Create a long-term symptom log to monitor for any changes in eating ability, recurring blockage symptoms, or complications. Set monthly check-in reminders to assess whether the bypass opening is functioning well and whether the patient can maintain normal eating patterns.
This research describes a new medical procedure that is not yet widely available. The findings are from a small pilot study of 12 patients and should be considered preliminary. This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. If you have a stomach blockage or gastrointestinal obstruction, consult with a qualified gastroenterologist or surgeon to discuss all available treatment options, including whether this technique might be appropriate for your specific situation. Do not attempt to self-diagnose or self-treat based on this information. Individual results may vary, and the safety and effectiveness of this procedure in larger populations remains to be determined through additional research.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.