Surgical Innovations adds weight to call for rise in gastric bypasses

Leeds-based Surgical is throwing its weight behind claims by Nick Finer, professor of obesity medicine at University College London, that surgery is a far more efficient method of weight loss than dieting.

Surgical's chairman Doug Liversidge is calling for the NHS to fund more operations, which would save the service money in the long term.

"There is an economic benefit as well as a physical one," he said. "Obesity is not just delinquency in eating, it can be a medical condition, both physical and mental, which needs help."

Nearly all of Surgical's medical devices can be used in obesity surgery, but the main one is LogiFlex, which uses pioneering technology to help surgeons fit gastric bands or undertake bypass surgery on obese patients.

It is estimated that 250,000 anti-obesity procedures are performed annually in the US where obesity affects more than 60 million people, representing the second largest cause of preventable death.

Surgical launched LogiFlex in the UK last year, where it was well received by surgeons at the World Congress of the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO) as an "innovative cost effective solution".

Yesterday Surgical announced a 256 per cent increase in pre-tax profits to 766,000 for the six months to June 30.

The increase was driven by the group's patented 'Resposable' instruments, which combine disposable and reusable elements.

Chief executive Graham Bowland said there had been a step change in the business since the re-organisation last year.

"The group has continued to invest in new laparoscopic devices and enhancements to existing ranges to ensure we remain at the forefront of surgical instrument technology," he said.

There was no news yesterday on Surgical's plans to either sell the blood transfusion business or seek a joint venture partner.