title: A comparison of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding in adolescents and adults.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (AGB) induces effective weight loss in adults, but its efficacy in adolescents has yet to be determined.
  
  
  METHODS
  Since 1996, data have been collected prospectively on all patients undergoing laparoscopic AGB procedures performed at our hospital by a single surgeon (G.F.). Patients <20 years old at surgery (adolescents) were compared with- patients >20 years old (adults) who were matched for sex and body mass index (BMI).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventeen adolescents with a median age of 17 years (range, 12-19) and a BMI of 42.2 kg/m2 (range, 30.3-70.5) were compared to 17 adults with a median age of 41 years (range, 23-70) and a BMI of 41.8 kg/m2 (range, 30.1-71.5). There were no significant differences between the adolescents and the adults in complications or weight loss. The BMI dropped to 30.1 kg/m2 (range, 22.6-39.4) in adolescents and 33.1 kg/m2 (range, 28.4-41.3) in adults at 2-month follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laparoscopic AGB is as effective in adolescents as it is in adults.
authors: Department of Surgery, Wesley Hospital, 30 Chasely Street, Auchenflower, Queensland 4066, Australia.
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Dolan
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Fielding
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D015391:Gastroplasty; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000601:surgery; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016896:Treatment Outcome