title: Laparoscopic Swedish adjustable gastric banding: a five-year prospective study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding is a popular bariatric operation in Europe. However, the long-term complication rate and weight loss are still unclear.
  
  
  METHODS
  824 patients underwent a laparoscopic Swedish Adjustable Gastric Banding (SAGB) in a 5-year period. Preoperative data, postoperative weight loss and long-term complications were prospectively obtained for analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean age of the 824 patients was 43 +/- 1 years, with mean preoperative BMI 43 +/- 1 kg/m(2). No intra- or postoperative death occurred in the first 30 postoperative days. Intraoperative conversion rate was 5.2%. Peri-operative complication rate was 1.2%. 97% of the patients were available for follow-up (maximum 5 years). Long-term complications occurred in 191 patients (23.2%). 135 complications (16.4%) were related to the band, and 56 (6.8%) to the access-port or to the tube. Mean excess weight loss was 30, 41, 49, 55 and 57 % after 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 years respectively. 82.9% of the patients obtained >50% EWL after initial treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study suggest that laparoscopic SAGB can achieve an effective weight loss, with an acceptable mortality and morbidity rate.
authors.affiliation: OBEX-Institute, Hirslanden Clinic, Department of Surgery, Zurich and Berne, Switzerland. Rudolf.steffen@bluewin.ch
authors.forename: Rudolf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Steffen
authors.forename: Laurent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Biertho
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ricklin
authors.forename: Gracyna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Piec
authors.forename: Fritz F
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Horber
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015331:Cohort Studies; D020878:Device Removal; D004867:Equipment Design; D004869:Equipment Safety; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015391:Gastroplasty / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013548:Sweden; D013557:Switzerland / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss