Laparoscopic gastric banding as a universal method for the treatment of patients with morbid obesity.
BACKGROUND
This study analyzed the influence of potentially negative predictors such as sweet-eating behavior, super-obesity, social and psychological status, family and education situation, intake of sedative drugs, and the distance between hospital and home on the outcome of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB).


METHODS
77 women and 29 men with mean age 40.6 years (28-47) underwent LAGB. Preoperative mean body weight was 146 kg (99-179), and mean BMI was 48.1 kg/m2 (36.4-73.5). The influence of the above-mentioned potentially negative predictors on weight loss was the primary end point.


RESULTS
Mean follow-up was 44.6 +/- 19.7 months. Follow-up was possible in all but 6 patients. Median excess weight loss (EWL) was 52.1% (range 28.6-72.2%). Univariate analysis revealed no influence of the investigated negative predictors on the weight reduction. Median EWL in 24 sweet-eater patients was 55.6% compared to 55.4% in 82 non-sweet-eaters (P=0.65). A significant difference in the weight reduction was found between super-obese and non-superobese groups (P <0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
LAGB should be recommended without limitation as the operation of choice for morbidly obese patients. Gastric bypass operations should be recommended only in cases of unsuccessful LAGB.
Korenkov
Michael
M
Department of Surgery, University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany. korenkov@ach.klinik.uni-mainz.de
Kneist
Werner
W
Heintz
Achim
A
Junginger
Theodor
T
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015391:Gastroplasty / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000601:surgery*; D018579:Patient Selection; D016896:Treatment Outcome