Enrique F Elli1, Jin Ye Yeo2
1Department of Surgery at Mayo Clinic School of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA; 2ALES Editorial Office, AME Publishing Company
Correspondence to: Jin Ye Yeo. ALES Editorial Office, AME Publishing Company. Email: ales@amegroups.com
This interview can be cited as: Elli EF, Yeo JY. Meeting the Editorial Board Member of ALES: Dr. Enrique F Elli. Ann Laparosc Endosc Surg. 2024. Available from: https://ales.amegroups.org/post/view/meeting-the-editorial-board-member-of-ales-dr-enrique-f-elli
Expert introduction
Dr. Enrique F Elli’s (Figure 1) focus is on the surgical treatment of obesity and related diseases, focusing on new procedures and minimally invasive access. Dr. Elli also has a strong interest in the treatment of foregut conditions both benign and malignant, particularly the treatment of Achalasia, hiatal hernias, GERD and gastric cancer. Lastly, Dr. Elli has a special focus on the surgical treatment of adrenal gland disorders.
He also dedicates time to the innovation of surgical devices, creating and prototyping devices that will improve patient care.
Figure 1 Dr. Enrique F Elli
Interview
ALES: What initially inspired you to specialize in the surgical treatment of obesity and related diseases?
Dr. Elli: Early in my career, I was exposed to weight loss surgery as a fascinating way to give patients a new opportunity in life. At that time, the operations were lengthy and few options were available.
ALES: Can you highlight the key advancements in minimally invasive techniques for obesity surgery that you believe have transformed patient outcomes?
Dr. Elli: There is no doubt that robotic surgery improved the outcomes of bariatric procedures, minimizing complications, and decreasing the length of stay. Applying ERAS protocols to these procedures allows patients to go home even on the same day. The advancement of techniques, new procedures, and new approaches are transforming the way we offer bariatric surgery to patients.
ALES: From your experience, what are the primary challenges in revisional metabolic and bariatric surgery? What techniques/strategies have you found most effective for improving the outcomes?
Dr. Elli: In recent years, there has been an increase in bariatric procedures, and sometimes the anatomy of the procedures is not very clear, especially for patients who have had surgery outside the United States. One of the challenges is to clearly understand what was done to the patient, the anatomy, and the current complication. It is important to understand the anatomy and obtain the surgical report, if possible. There is no doubt that minimally invasive techniques and especially robotic surgery make a big difference in these procedures. There are multiple options for patients who present with weight regain or anatomical complications. Surgeons need to be trained in these highly complicated procedures to reduce complications and improve patient outcomes.
ALES: You also have a strong interest in innovating surgical devices. Can you share examples of surgical devices you have developed or prototyped? What are some aspects of current surgical devices that you believe require innovation?
Dr. Elli: Over the last few years, there have been a few devices like magnetic feeding jejunostomy and the fistula catheter device, all in different stages of development. But there is no doubt that the field of magnetic surgery will be progressing in the next 2 years, minimizing the surgical approach, with excellent outcomes.
ALES: What future trends do you see in the field of obesity surgery? Are there specific emerging techniques or technologies that you believe hold the potential to advance patient care?
Dr. Elli: As I mentioned previously, the new development of successful drugs, new endoscopic procedures, and new surgical techniques like magnetic surgery applied to obesity will be game changers in the treatment of these patients. We can now treat patients with different modalities to improve the outcomes with reduced complications.
ALES: How has your experience been as an Editorial Board Member of ALES?
Dr. Elli: I had a great experience working as an editorial board member of ALES.
ALES: As an Editorial Board Member, what are your expectations for ALES?
Dr. Elli: Hopefully to continue the growth of the journal and I am happy to participate in this prestigious journal. I am thankful for the opportunity to collaborate with ALES.