[Treatment of morbid obesity with laparoscopic, adjustable gastric banding. Results after two years of experiences with a new surgical method for severe obesity].
BACKGROUND
In the last decade, laparoscopic, adjustable silicone gastric banding for morbid obesity has gained widespread use, owing to two important improvements: The surgical procedure can be performed laparoscopically and the weight loss can be regulated by adjusting the silicone band by a simple percutaneous technique.


METHODS
Over a 2-year period, we followed up 33 patients admitted to the clinic for morbid obesity. Sixteen patients preferred the conventional diet treatment (1), seven patients underwent an operation (2), and ten patients were motivated for operation, but were found to be unfit and were treated by diet (3).


RESULTS
The excess loss of body weight was 25% in group 1, 60% in group 2, and 0% in group 3.


CONCLUSIONS
Laparoscopic, adjustable gastric banding can help the severely obese patients when diets and pharmacological treatment have failed. The resulting loss of weight is highly dependent on careful follow-up by a professional obesity team.
Kroustrup
J P
JP
Aalborg Sygehus, adipositasklinikken, endokrinologisk afdeling og kirurgisk gastroenterologisk afdeling.
Larsen
J F
JF
D000328:Adult; D000075202:Contraindications; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005773:Gastroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000601:surgery*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015431:Weight Loss