title: Adjustable gastric banding: 5-year experience.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  From 1993 to 1999, 172 patients underwent adjustable silicone gastric banding (ASGB) or laparoscopic adjustable silicone gastric banding (LASGB). In 109 patients the adjustable band was placed via laparoscopy; in the other patients it was placed via laparotomy (prelaparoscopic era, conversions from other bariatric operations, conversions for laparoscopic failure). The conversion rate from laparoscopy to laparotomy was 9.3%, occurring in the early part of our experience.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mean age was 37.9 years, weight 135 +/- 14.8 kg (82-218) and BMI 46.3 +/- 5.4 (35.1-69.5). All patients had multiple band adjustments, temporary antisecretive, electrolyte and vitamin therapy, and follow-up per routine.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Weight loss at 3 years was 30.2%; mean percent loss of excess weight was 62.5%. There was no mortality. The most important technical complications were: gastric pouch dilatation that required band replacement or removal (5.8 %); mild gastric pouch dilatation reversible with adequate dietary and pharmacological treatment (4.6%); intraoperative gastric perforation (2.3%); band migration (0.6%). The band was removed in 2.3%, with conversion to another bariatric procedure in 1.1%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results have been satisfactory thus far.
authors.affiliation: Istituto Clinico Sant' Ambrogio, Milan, 20149 Italy.
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Doldi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Micheletto
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lattuada
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Zappa
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bona
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Sonvico
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015391:Gastroplasty / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000601:surgery*; D011247:Pregnancy; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss