title: U.S. experience with 749 laparoscopic adjustable gastric bands: intermediate outcomes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Laparoscopic adjustable gastric band (LAGB) has consistently been shown to be a safe and effective treatment for morbid obesity, especially in Europe and Australia. Data from the U.S. regarding the LAGB has been insufficient. This study reveals our experience with 749 primary LAGB over a 3-year period in a U.S. university teaching hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  All data was prospectively collected and entered into an electronic registry. Characteristics evaluated for this study include preoperative age, BMI, gender, race, conversion rate, operative time, hospital stay, percent excess weight loss (%EWL) and postoperative complications. Annual esophagrams were performed
  
  
  RESULTS
  From July 2001 through September 2004, 749 patients (531 females, 218 males) underwent LAGB for the treatment of morbid obesity. There were 630 Caucasians, 61 African-Americans, and 49 Latin Americans, with a mean age of 42.3 (range 18, 72 years) and mean BMI of 46.0 +/- 7.0 (range 35, 91.5 kg/m(2)). There was one conversion to open (0.1%). Median operative time and hospital stay were 60 minutes and 23 hours, respectively. The mean %EWL at 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years was 44.4 (+/-17.8), 51.8 (+/-20.9), and 52.0 (+/-19.6), respectively. There were no mortalities. Postoperative complications occurred in 12.8% of patients: 1.5% acute postoperative band obstruction, 0.9% wound infection, 2.9% gastric prolapse ("slip"), 2.0% concentric pouch dilatation (without slip), 0.8% aspiration pneumonia, 2.4% port/tubing problems, 0.3% severe esophageal dilatation/dysmotility (reversible), and 1.5% overall band removal.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These American results substantiate the data from abroad that LAGB is a safe and effective treatment for morbid obesity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, New York University School of Medicine, 530 First Avenue, Suite 10S, New York, NY 10016, USA. parikm01@popmail.med.nya.edu
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Parikh
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Fielding
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Ren
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015391:Gastroplasty / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States