title: Results after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding in patients over 55 years of age.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) has become the most popular bariatric intervention in Europe. International guidelines recommended age limits for bariatric surgery of 18-60 years. The aim of this study was to evaluate the immediate results in morbidly obese patients >55 years old, treated with LAGB.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between January 1996 and January 2004, 350 patients underwent LAGB. 24 (6.8%) were >55 years old (Group A), mean age 58.6+/-3.3 years, mean preoperative BMI 42.3+/-4.5 kg/m2. A comparative randomized analysis with 24 patients younger than age 55 years was performed (Group B: mean age 41.2+/-9.6 years, mean BMI 42.1+/-3.6 kg/m2). Baseline clinical features, operative parameters and postoperative results were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No perioperative complications were recorded. Conversion rate and mortality were nil. Major postoperative complications occurred in 2 patients (8.3%) from Group A (1 intragastric prosthesis migration, 1 pouch dilatation) and 2 patients (8.3%) from Group B (intragastric migrations). Reoperation was needed in 3 cases, and one erosion (Group B) is on the waiting list for removal. Minor complications: 1 port infection in each group required ambulatory port substitution; 1 intraperitoneal portcatheter disconnection (Group B) was successfully treated laparoscopically. Mean follow-up was 31.7 months (Group A) and 33.0 months (Group B). Mean postoperative BMI at 12 and 24 months was 35.9+/-4.2 and 33.8+/-4.9 for Group A, and 33.8+/-4.6 and 33.2+/-6.0 for Group B.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There have been no significant differences in results between the 2 groups. LAGB has been safe and effective in patients >55 years old.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery "Paride Stefanini", Rome, Italy. gianfranco.silecchia@uniroma1.it
authors.forename: Gianfranco
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Silecchia
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Greco
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bacci
authors.forename: Cristian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Boru
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pecchia
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Casella
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rizzello
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Basso
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects; D004108:Dilatation, Pathologic / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005548:Foreign-Body Migration / Q000209:etiology; D015391:Gastroplasty / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012086:Reoperation; D012449:Safety; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome