title: Laparoscopic adjustable banding in pregnancy: safety, patient tolerance and effect on obesity-related pregnancy outcomes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) is increasingly recommended to women of reproductive age. For continued use, LAGB needs to be proven to be safe and well-tolerated during pregnancy. Maternal obesity is a well-recognized risk factor for gestational diabetes, maternal hypertension and is more likely to result in instrumental delivery or caesarean section. Weight control with the LAGB may reduce the incidence of these complications.
  
  
  METHODS
  An observational study was conducted of the LAGB in pregnancy, including a study comparing outcomes of LAGB pregnancies with previous non-LAGB pregnancies. Women who had had successful LAGB pregnancies were identified from a computerized database. A telephone questionnaire was used to collect the additional outcome data needed and was administered by an independent medical practitioner.
  
  
  RESULTS
  49 LAGB and 31 previous non-LAGB pregnancies were included. 2 LAGBs (4%) required removal during pregnancy. Mean maternal weight gain was significantly reduced in the LAGB group, 3.7 kg vs 15.6 kg (P <0.0001), with no effect on fetal weight, 3.31 vs 3.53 kg, or neonatal complications, 4% and 3%. The incidence of gestational diabetes, 8 and 27% (P =0.048), and hypertension, 8 and 22.5% (P =0.06) was significantly reduced in the LAGB group. The overall complication rate during pregnancy for LAGB was 20.4% and 52% for non-LAGB (P =0.0037)
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LAGB is safe and well-tolerated during pregnancy with a lower incidence of gestational diabetes and maternal hypertension. LAGB can be safely recommended to morbidly obese women of childbearing age.
authors.affiliation: Wesley Obesity Clinic, Wesley Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Skull
authors.forename: G H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Slater
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Duncombe
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Fielding
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D015391:Gastroplasty / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000601:surgery*; D019370:Observation; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000601:surgery*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss