title: Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding for the treatment of morbid obesity.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This prospective study evaluated the effectiveness and safety of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) for morbid obesity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety-five consecutive patients (89 female; median age 38 years, range 19 to 69) underwent LAGB for morbid obesity. Median weight and body mass index were 123.2 (88.9 to 228.6) kg and 45 (32.7-76.4) kg/m(2) respectively. Significant coexistent disease was present in 52 (55%) patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Median excess weight loss was 53% (range 96.9% to 12.1%) and 62% (range 107.5% to 32.3%) at 1 and 2 years respectively (P <0.001). Median operative time was 90 (range 35 to 285) minutes and inpatient stay 2 (range 1 to 10) days. Early complications were seen in 17 (18%) patients most commonly nausea/vomiting or dysphagia. Late complications were seen in 25 (26.3%) patients, most frequently vomiting or reflux due to band slippage or pouch dilatation. There was 1 (1%) operative death.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LAGB is an effective operation for morbid obesity that results in equivalent weight loss to open surgical procedures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Whiston Hospital, Merseyside, UK. jimevans@doctors.org.uk
authors.forename: James D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: Michael H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.forename: Annemarie S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rogers
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015391:Gastroplasty / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D011336:Probability; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss