[Evaluation of laparoscopic bariatric surgery using the BAROS score].
OBJECTIVE
Mid-term assessment of laparoscopic adjustable silicon gastric banding (Lap-Band) by a specific score.


METHODS
One hundred consecutive patients received by mail 12 to 54 months after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding a questionnaire including the Bariatric Analysis and Reporting Outcome System (BAROS) which is the only specific and validated instrument for measuring the quality of life after bariatric surgery. This score includes five categories of results (failure, fair, good, very good, excellent). It uses three major fields: the quality of life, excess weight loss, and medical comorbidities evaluation.


RESULTS
Seventy three patients answered back with a mean follow up of 24.6 +/- 10 months. Forty six (2/3) had lost more than 50% of their weight excess. Sixty six experienced an improvement of their medical conditions following surgery. Final results were good or excellent for 60 patients (82% of those who answered back). Failure was reported in 7 patients (2 "sweet eaters" and 2 pouch dilatations) which needed a surgical treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
This evaluation based on the BAROS confirms its validation in France and the good mid-term results of bariatric surgery based on the Lap-Band.
Nini
E
E
Service de chirurgie générale et digestive, Hôtel-Dieu, boulevard Léon-Malfreyt, 63058 Clermont-Ferrand, France.
Slim
K
K
Scesa
J L
JL
Chipponi
J
J
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005743:Gastrectomy / Q000379:methods*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D011788:Quality of Life; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss