Pregnancies after adjustable gastric banding.
BACKGROUND
We evaluated outcome of pregnancies of morbidly obese women who are within the first 2 years after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding.


METHODS
215 morbidly obese women of reproductive potential (age 18-45 years), who had agreed to remain on reliable contraceptives for 2 years after surgery, were retrospectively analyzed following bariatric surgery.


RESULTS
7 unexpected pregnancies were observed. 5 pregnancies were full-term (3 vaginal and 2 cesarean deliveries). The birth weights ranged from 2110 g to 3860 g. 2 women had first trimester miscarriages. All gastric bands were completely decompressed due to nausea and vomiting, resulting in further weight gain. 2 serious band complications were observed (1 intragastric band migration and 1 balloon defect), which required re-operation.


CONCLUSIONS
Pregnancy in morbidly obese women soon after adjustable gastric banding may occur unexpectedly during a period of weight loss. Prophylactic fluid removal from the band eliminates the efficacy of the obesity treatment. Moreover, this cohort shows an increased incidence of spontaneous abortions and band-related complications.
Weiss
H G
HG
Department of General Surgery, University Hospital of Innsbruck, Austria. helmut.weiss@uibk.ac.at
Nehoda
H
H
Labeck
B
B
Hourmont
K
K
Marth
C
C
Aigner
F
F
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015391:Gastroplasty; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000601:surgery; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012189:Retrospective Studies