- by croatiaweek
- March 4, 2026
- in
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Rijeka, 4 March 2026 – A major milestone in Croatian medicine has been achieved after University Hospital Centre Rijeka performed the country’s first endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG), a minimally invasive procedure used to treat obesity.
The groundbreaking intervention was carried out on 25 February 2026 and represents a new step forward in the treatment of obesity and metabolic diseases in Croatia.
Unlike traditional bariatric surgery, ESG is performed endoscopically through the mouth, meaning no external incisions are required.
During the procedure, doctors reshape the stomach from the inside using specialised sutures, reducing its volume and helping patients feel full sooner when eating.
The procedure was led by Professor Goran Hauser, Head of the Clinic for Internal Medicine at KBC Rijeka and Rector of the University of Rijeka, alongside a specialist team including physician Domagoj Mičetić and head nurse Katarina Karlović.
“ESG is intended for people who are overweight or obese who have not achieved satisfactory results through changes in diet and lifestyle, and who are either not candidates for or do not want traditional surgery,” Hauser explained. “Each case is assessed individually following a detailed medical evaluation.”
The operation typically lasts between 60 and 90 minutes and is performed under general anaesthesia. Recovery is relatively quick, with most patients able to drink fluids the same day and leave hospital within 24 hours.
Medical data from international experience suggests patients can expect an average weight loss of around 15–20 percent of total body weight within the first year, provided they follow dietary guidance and lifestyle changes.
Hospital officials say the introduction of ESG makes KBC Rijeka the first and only hospital in Croatia to offer a fully comprehensive approach to obesity treatment. This ranges from counselling, psychological support and endocrinological therapy to advanced endoscopic procedures and bariatric surgery.
The new method was introduced following months of preparation by a multidisciplinary team of endocrinologists, gastroenterologists and digestive surgeons from the hospital’s Centre for Digestive and Metabolic Medicine.
Mičetić also completed specialised masterclass training in Rome as part of the preparation for the procedure.
Hospital leadership emphasised that obesity remains one of Croatia’s leading health challenges, often contributing to numerous other medical conditions and affecting both physical and social wellbeing.
While ESG offers a new therapeutic option, specialists stress that it is not a standalone solution, but rather a tool to help patients adopt long-term lifestyle and dietary changes with the support of medical professionals.