title: Laparoscopic vertical banded gastroplasty: 5-year results.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG) has been a popular bariatric operation for the past 2 decades, and this operation has evolved into a laparoscopic procedure. However, reports of laparoscopic VBG (LVBG) from large series with longer results are limited.
  
  
  METHODS
  From October 1998 to May 2002, 612 consecutive patients underwent LVBG. Mean age was 30.1 years and mean BMI 43.0 kg/m2. Laparoscopic Mason gastroplasty was performed. The change of BMI, obesity-related co-morbidities, and GI quality-of-life index (GIQLI) were studied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The major and minor complication-rate was 1.14% and 4.58% respectively. The mortality-rate was 0.16%. Mean BMI fell from 43.1 kg/m2 to 31.2, 31.3, 31.4, 32.2, and 32.8 kg/m2 at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years respectively, with 93% follow-up. Revision rate was 9.2%. GIQLI decreased from 113.0 to 106.6, 110.9, 111.9, 112.1, and 106.4 at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LVBG is safe and effective in weight reduction. The GIQLI failed to improve postoperatively even with good resolution of obesity-related co-morbidities. In carefully selected patients with diligent postoperative follow-up, LVBG is a bariatric surgery option.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, En-Chu-Kong Hospital, and School of Nursing, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan. wangweu@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Weu
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Po-Jui
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Yi-Chi
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Po-Li
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Wei-Jei
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015391:Gastroplasty / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012086:Reoperation; D015431:Weight Loss