An adjustable vertical banded gastroplasty does not eliminate the risk of staple-line disruption.
BACKGROUND
The two main reasons for reoperation after vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG) in the treatment of obesity are staple-line disruption and stomal stenosis.


METHODS
Seven morbidly obese patients of mean (+/-SEM) body mass index (BMI) 43.7 +/- 1.9 kg/m2 treated with an adjustable vertical banded gastroplasty (AVBG).


RESULTS
No complications of the band system were reported. Weight-loss [BMI at 2 years follow-up 33.9 +/- 6.9 kg/m2 (n = 5)] was equivalent to that seen after VBG with a fixed band. Two of the patients developed staple-line disruption at 18 and 24 months after surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
AVBG allows adjustment of the stoma, but staple-line disruption was common in this small series. It is possible that an excessive filling of the band in order to achieve excess weight loss results in a high pressure in the upper pouch which increases the risk of staple-line disruption.
Näslund
E
E
Division of Surgery, Karolinska Institute at Danderyd Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. Erik.Naslund@kir.ds.sll.se
Backman
L
L
Granström
L
L
D000328:Adult; D015391:Gastroplasty / Q000379:methods; D005773:Gastroscopy; D006801:Humans; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012086:Reoperation; D017792:Surgical Stapling