Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding for severe obesity.
BACKGROUND
Morbid obesity is an increasingly common condition with serious associated morbidity and decreased life expectancy. The only treatment with long-term efficacy for this condition is surgical intervention. Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) is a procedure increasingly performed in European centres and recently approved by the FDA in USA. This article reviews its effectiveness and complications.


METHODS
A literature search identified relevant articles.


RESULTS
LAGB results in approximately 60% (43-78%) excess weight loss at 3 years with improvement in co-morbidities, with perioperative mortality <0.5%. Potential complications include prolapse or pouch dilatation, and port-related complications. Less common complications are intra-operative gastric perforation and band erosion. Rate of reoperation varies greatly between series, and is usually needed for band repositioning or port-related procedures, many of the latter performed under local anesthesia.


CONCLUSIONS
The available data demonstrate that LAGB is a safe bariatric procedure, and is effective in the short- and medium-term. Results of long-term follow-up are awaited.
Vella
Mark
M
Department of Surgical Gastroenterology, Gartnavel General Hospital, Glasgow, Scotland, UK.
Galloway
David J
DJ
D005260:Female; D015391:Gastroplasty / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000601:surgery*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome