Endobariatric Hands-On Workshop

Overview

The Endobariatric Hands-On Workshop is an intensive, expert-led pre-conference course held the day before the 16th Saudi Digestive Disease Forum (SDDF 2026) opens in Jeddah. Sixteen endoscopists rotate through five hands-on benches under the close supervision of fifteen faculty — three per station — training on the three endobariatric techniques with the strongest and most durable evidence today: endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG), transoral outlet reduction (TORe), and gastric fundal mucosal ablation (GFMA). ESG and GFMA are each split across two dedicated stations so participants build the complete workflow rather than sampling isolated steps. The morning opens with four focused lectures on the patient and the platforms; the afternoon moves entirely to the benches, with five 30-minute rotations ensuring every group reaches every station. Registration is SAR 800.

Why attend this course

Train hands-on across 5 dedicated benches with 3 faculty supervising every station
Build the complete ESG, TORe, and GFMA workflows, not just isolated steps
Small groups of 3–4, with every group rotating through every station
Whole and prepared porcine-tissue models at every bench
Timed the day before SDDF 2026 opens — no extra trip to Jeddah needed
Receive a Certificate of Course Completion from the SGA

What you will learn

1Recognise the indications for endobariatric therapy and the patients most likely to benefit.
2Describe the available endoscopic platforms and how suturing, plication and mucosal ablation differ.
3Demonstrate the fundamental techniques of endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty, transoral outlet reduction, and gastric fundal mucosal ablation.
4Explain common problems encountered with endobariatric devices and how to manage them.

Curriculum

4 modules across 4 units — 4 published, 0 in development.

Competency-based curriculum benchmarked against JAG UK and ESGE ESD frameworks. Each module includes Bloom-tagged learning outcomes, pre-reading anchors, case-based reasoning, clinical pearls and pitfalls, and self-assessment MCQs.

Hands-on training (key highlight)

5 hands-on stations — ESG I & II, TORe, GFMA I & II
16 endoscopists, 15 faculty (3 per station)
5 full rotations — every group reaches every station

Scientific program

Workshop Day — Tuesday, 15 December 2026

10:00Registration, badges, group allocation
—15 min
10:15Welcome & how the day works · station rules · safety
—10 min
10:25Obesity in Saudi Arabia: 25,000 operations a year, and what endoscopy currently contributes
Lecture15 min
10:40Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty — technique, evidence and outcomes
Lecture15 min
10:55Transoral outlet reduction (TORe) — revising the dilated gastro-jejunal outlet
Lecture15 min
11:10Gastric fundal mucosal ablation (GFMA) — targeting ghrelin at its source
Lecture15 min
11:25Break — coffee & exhibition
Break15 min
11:40Station briefing, gowning, dry device primer
—15 min
11:55Rotation 1 — five stations running, three to four participants each
Hands-on30 min
12:25Changeover and tissue reset
—5 min
12:30Lunch · Dhuhr prayer
Break60 min
13:30Rotation 2
Hands-on30 min
14:00Changeover and tissue reset
—5 min
14:05Rotation 3
Hands-on30 min
14:35Changeover and tissue reset
—5 min
14:40Rotation 4
Hands-on30 min
15:10Changeover, tissue reset · Asr prayer
—15 min
15:25Rotation 5
Hands-on30 min
15:55End of day — closing remarks
—5 min

Who should attend

GI consultants and advanced endoscopists
Advanced / therapeutic endoscopy fellows
Bariatric surgeons and physicians with an interest in endoscopic bariatric therapy

Course format

Morning: four focused lectures on the patient and the platforms (60 minutes)
Afternoon: five hands-on bench stations across five 30-minute rotations, with tissue reset between each
Small groups of 3–4 participants; three faculty supervising every station