title: Laparoscopic adjustable silicone gastric banding for morbid obesity: results and complications in 715 patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Laparoscopic adjustable silicone gastric banding (LASGB) was used as the initial bariatric procedure for more than 36 months. The efficacy and safety of LASGB were studied.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients were followed up prospectively in a multidisciplinary center for the perioperative and long-term courses, and for complications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Between November 1996 and May 1999, 715 patients underwent surgery. The mean age was 34.6 years (range, 16-72) years, and the mean body mass index (BMI) was 43.1 kg/m2 (range, 35-66 kg/m2). The mean operative time was 78 min (range, 36-165 min), and the postoperative hospitalization time was 1.2 days (range, 1-8 days). There were six intraoperative complications (0.8%), eight early postoperative complications (1.1%), and no deaths. For follow-up evaluation, 614 patients (86%) were available. Late complications included band slippage or pouch dilation in 53 patients (7.4%), band erosion in 3 patients, and port complications in 18 patients. In 57(7.9%) patients, 69 major reoperations were performed. In patients with a follow-up period longer than 24 months, the average BMI dropped from 43.3 kg/m2 (range, 35-66 kg/m2) to 32.1 kg/m2 (range, 21-45 kg/m2).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laparoscopic adjustable silicone gastric banding is safe, with a lower complication rate than any other bariatric procedure. Most reoperations can be performed laparoscopically with low morbidity and short hospitalizations. On the basis of intermediate-term follow-up evaluation, it is an effective procedure for weight-reducing purposes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery B, Advanced Endoscopic Surgery Service, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, 6 Weizmann street, Tel Aviv 64239. amiki@netvision.net.il
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Szold
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Abu-Abeid
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015391:Gastroplasty / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000601:surgery*; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012086:Reoperation