AKRON, Ohio - March 11, 2026 – Summa Health System has become the first hospital, part of the Summa Health System, in Ohio to perform a minimally invasive metabolic and bariatric surgery procedure using magnetic compression technology, marking a significant advancement in surgical innovation for weight loss and metabolic disease. 

The technique, called magnetic compression anastomosis, uses specially designed magnets to create a new connection between two segments of the small intestine. Unlike traditional bariatric operations that rely on surgical incisions, staples or sutures to form intestinal connections, this technique harnesses the body’s natural healing process to create the connection, reducing the need for cutting and stapling of the bowel. 

“This magnetic connection represents a remarkable step forward in surgical innovation,” said Dr. Adrian Dan, MD, FACS, FASMBS, Medical Director of the Weight Management Institute at Summa Health System. “By eliminating the need for intestinal incisions, sutures or staples to create a connection, we are significantly improving patient safety and comfort.” 

The procedure creates a side-to-side connection between the upper portion of the small intestine and the lower portion of the small intestine, formed with a pair of magnets. One magnet is swallowed by the patient and guided precisely into position using a magnetic delivery instrument without any surgical incision into the intestine. The second magnet is placed into the upper small intestine through an endoscopy.  Once aligned, the magnets attract and compress the tissue between them. Each magnet is about the size of a grape. 

Over the course of two to three weeks, the compressed tissue between the magnets naturally remodels, forming a new intestinal connection. After the connection, or anastomosis, is created, the magnets detach, pass through the digestive tract and are eliminated naturally. 

"By creating this connection, nutrients are delivered more rapidly to the distal small intestine, triggering beneficial neurohormonal responses including increased natural production and release of GLP-1 and other gut hormones that play a key role in regulating blood sugar, insulin sensitivity, appetite and overall cardiometabolic health,” said Dr. Dan.

As a result, patients may experience meaningful weight loss, improved metabolic health and reductions in insulin resistance, particularly those living with type 2 diabetes. 

“Summa Health System’s early use of this technology reflects our team’s commitment to remaining at the forefront of metabolic and bariatric innovation,” said Dr. Dan. “We’re proud to offer our community access to advanced, evidenced-based surgical options that prioritize safety, effectiveness and long-term metabolic health.” 

The magnetic duodenal ileostomy procedure may be considered for adults who have:

Summa Health is one of the largest integrated healthcare delivery systems in Ohio. Encompassing a network of hospitals, community medical centers, a health plan, an accountable care organization, a multi-specialty physician organization, medical education, and research, we are nationally renowned for excellence in patient care and for exceptional approaches to healthcare delivery. Summa Health’s clinical services are consistently recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (Magnet status), The Joint Commission, American Hospital Association, U.S. News and World Report, Healthgrades, Thomson Reuters and The Leapfrog Group.