Comparison of Soluble Gelatin Sponge Particles and Tris-acryl Gelatin Microspheres for Bariatric Arterial Embolization in Swine

The purpose of this study was to compare complications and the number of ghrelin-expressing cells (GECs) after bariatric arterial embolization (BAE) using soluble gelatin sponge particles (SGSs) or tris-acryl gelatin microspheres (MSs) in swine. Twelve swine underwent embolization of gastric fundal arteries with SGSs (n = 4) or MSs (n = 4) or underwent saline infusion (n = 4, control group). One week later, the number of gastric ulcers and the percentage of GECs were compared among the 3 groups. There were no ulcers in the SGS and control groups. Two swine in the MS group had 4 large ulcers (12–50 mm in size). The mean percentages of GECs were significantly lower in the SGS (2.7% ± 0.9%) and MS (2.5% ± 1.0%) groups compared with the control group (3.7% ± 1.3%; P = .038 and P = .016, respectively). SGSs may be safer than MSs for BAE while inducing a similar reduction of GECs in swine.