title: Experience with laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (la-band system) up to 8 years.
abstract: Morbid obesity occurs in 2-5% of the population in Western countries. Laparoscopic adjustable silicone gastric banding is a minimally invasive, adjustable and reversible procedure for the treatment of morbid obesity. The lap-band system was evaluated retrospectively in a series of 222 patients. Postoperative outcome and weight loss patterns at up to 8 years follow-up are presented. The most frequent late complications were a leak between the port and the catheter, which occurred in 21 patients (9.4%) and total and irreversible food intolerance due to pouch dilation and/or slippage, which occurred in 13 patients (5.8%). The postoperative BMI reductions are successful and stable after a follow-up of up to 96 months. The lap-band system seems an effective procedure for achieving appreciable and stable weight loss up to 8 years of follow-up and the complications and re-operation rates are acceptable. In 81% of the cases also, the patient is very satisfied with the results of the operation. From the 47.3% who found their quality of life before the operation bad or even devastating, 93% envoy life after the operation like never before.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Imelda Hospital, Bonheiden, Belgium.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fransis
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Francis
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Deweer
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Vanrykel
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Aelvoet
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects; D008026:Ligation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors