Adjustable gastric banding: 5-year experience.
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.
Doldi
S B
SB
Istituto Clinico Sant' Ambrogio, Milan, 20149 Italy.
Micheletto
G
G
Lattuada
E
E
Zappa
M A
MA
Bona
D
D
Sonvico
U
U
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