title: Technical modification of laparoscopic vertical banded gastroplasty.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Technical improvements of laparoscopic bariatric procedures are important to minimize operative time and increase safety and simplicity.
  
  
  METHODS
  A modification is described of the "classic" Mason-MacLean vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG), performed by laparoscopy, with wedge resection of the gastric fundus, thus avoiding the time-consuming and technically difficult gastro-gastrostomy window.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The technique used was simple and safe, and required less operative time than the "classic" method, without serious intra- or postoperative complications. Weight loss in 18 patients who underwent the modified laparoscopic VBG and were followed-up for 1 year was equal to that achieved in patients who underwent open VBG at our Institution. Gastro-gastric fistula was not observed in upper GI barium studies performed 12 months postoperatively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The modified technique is preferable when lap-VBG is indicated for surgical treatment of morbidly obese patients.
authors.affiliation: Bariatric Unit, Department of Surgical Oncology, Medical School, University of Crete, Greece. melissas@med.uoc.gr
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Melissas
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Schoretsanitis
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Grammatikakis
authors.forename: Dimitris D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Tsiftsis
mesh_terms: D015391:Gastroplasty / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000601:surgery; D011182:Postoperative Care; D013526:Surgical Mesh; D017792:Surgical Stapling