title: Laparoscopic Italian experience with the Lap-Band.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  An increasing number of surgeons with different levels of experience with laparoscopic surgery and open obesity surgery have started to perform laparoscopic implantation of the Lap-Band.
  
  
  METHODS
  An electronic patient data sheet was created and was mailed and e-mailed to all surgeons performing laparoscopic adjustable silicone gastric banding (LASGB) in Italy. Patients were recruited since January 1996. Data on 1,265 Lap-Band System operated patients (258 M/1,007 F; mean BMI 44.1, range 27.0-78.1; mean age 38, range 17-74 years) were collected from 23 surgeons performing this operation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Intra-operative mortality was absent. Post-operative mortality was 0.55% (7 patients) for causes not specifically related to LASGB implantation. The laparotomic conversion rate was 1.7% (22 patients). LASGB related complications occurred in 143 patients (11.3%). Pouch dilatation was diagnosed in 65 (5.2%), and 28 (2.2%) of these underwent re-operation. Band erosion was observed in 24 patients (1.9%). Port or connecting tube-port complications occurred in 54 patients (4.2%), 12 of whom required revision under general anesthesia. Follow-up was obtained at 6, 12, 18, 24, 36 and 48 months, and mean BMI was respectively 38.4, 35.1, 33.1, 30.2, 32.1 and 31.5. The percentage of patients observed at each follow-up was > 60%. There was no intra-operative mortality and no complication-related mortality, with acceptable weight loss.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The LASGB operation is safe and effective, and deserves wider use for treatment of morbid obesity.
authors: LapClub-Fondazione IDIS, Via Coroglio 156, 80124 Naples, Italy. lapclub.na@endosphere.it
authors: L
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authors: Angrisani
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Alkilani
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Basso
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authors: Belvederesi
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authors: F
authors: Campanile
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authors: FD
authors: Capizzi
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authors: D'Atri
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authors: Di Cosmo
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authors: Doldi
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authors: Favretti
authors: P
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authors: Forestieri
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authors: Furbetta
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authors: Giacomelli
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authors: Giardiello
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authors: Iuppa
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Lesti
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authors: Lucchese
authors: F
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authors: Puglisi
authors: L
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authors: Scipioni
authors: M
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authors: Toppino
authors: G U
authors: GU
authors: Turicchia
authors: A
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authors: Veneziani
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authors: Docimo
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authors: Borrelli
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authors: Lorenzo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015391:Gastroplasty / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008875:Middle Aged; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D012189:Retrospective Studies