Laparoscopic vertical banded gastroplasty--an effective long-term therapy for morbidly obese patients?
BACKGROUND
Vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG) has previously been documented as an effective treatment for morbid obesity. We have described a laparoscopic technique to perform this operation. Follow-up data are now presented.


METHODS
A consecutive series of 139 morbidly obese patients were operated on with laparoscopic VBG. The patients were assessed with respect to peri- and postoperative morbidity, postoperative recovery and weight reduction up to 5 years thereafter.


RESULTS
Conversions to an open operation (n = 6) and early reoperations (n = 3) occurred in the early part of the series. Late complications were observed in 8 patients. The average weight reduction after 1 year was 50% of excess body weight, which remained also after 2 years. The continued follow-up covering 3 to 5 years postoperatively revealed a moderate weight gain in about 20% of patients.


CONCLUSIONS
VBG can be safely performed by use of the laparoscopic technique. The average weight reduction after 1 and 2 years was 50% of excess body weight, whereafter tendency to partial weight gain was noted, suggesting an outcome comparable to that documented after the open surgical approach.
Olbers
T
T
Department of Surgery, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Frolunda Specialist Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Lönroth
H
H
Dalenbäck
J
J
Haglind
E
E
Lundell
L
L
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D015391:Gastroplasty / Q000379:methods* / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012086:Reoperation; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss