Experience with Lap-band System up to 7 years.
BACKGROUND
Morbid obesity occurs in 2-5% of the population of Western countries. Laparoscopic adjustable silicone gastric banding was designed to be a minimally invasive, adjustable and reversible procedure for the treatment of morbid obesity.


METHODS
The Lap-band System was evaluated retrospectively in a series of 543 patients. Data on preoperative aspects and postoperative outcome and weight loss patterns at up to 7 years follow-up (median follow-up 36 months) are presented.


RESULTS
The most important late complication was total and irreversible food intolerance due to proximal pouch dilatation, which occurred in 24 patients (4.6%). 20 of these patients (3.8%) had had a proximal pouch calibration with 25 cc; 4 patients were calibrated with 15 cc. The mean BMI had fallen from 44 kg/m2 to 33.2 kg/m2 and was stable after a follow-up of up to 86 months (median 36 months).


CONCLUSIONS
The Lap-band System is an effective procedure for achieving appreciable and stable weight loss at up to 7 years of follow-up (median 36 months). The minimally invasive approach was associated with a short hospital stay and a low rate of complications. Preoperative patient selection, detailed information and availability of the multidisciplinary team permitted us to achieve good longstanding results.
Department of Laparoscopic Gastrointestinal Tract Surgery, Europe St-Michel Clinic, Brussels, Belgium. marcvertruyen@hotmail.com
Marc
M
Vertruyen
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D015391:Gastroplasty / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000502:physiology