title: Feasibility of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy as a revision procedure for prior laparoscopic gastric banding.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG), initially described by Gagner's group as the first stage of the laparoscopic duodenal switch in super-obese patients, is now gaining wide diffusion among bariatric surgeons as a new restrictive operation.
  
  
  METHODS
  From January 2005 to January 2006, 8 obese patients with BMI 37-74 kg/m(2) underwent LSG for conversion from a prior complicated or failed laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB). Three patients had severe symptomatic esophageal dilation, while 5 patients had unsuccessful weight loss with poor "band compliance". After de-banding, LSG was calibrated upon a 34-Fr gastric bougie, and blue and green linear staplers were used. The staple-line was buttressed by placing a sero-serosal running suture in all but one patient, and methylene blue dye was used to test for leaks. All the patients underwent upper GI series with water-soluble contrast medium 2 days after the surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average operating-time for LSG was 90 minutes (range 60-120 min). The average hospital stay was 4 days (range 3-7). There were no perioperative complications, no conversion, and no mortality. No intraoperative or postoperative blood transfusions were required.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LSG proved to be feasible and safe after LAGB. Longer follow-up and larger series are needed to assess weight loss results.
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Patologia Speciale Chirurgica, Università di Padova, Italy. paolo.bernante@unipd.it
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bernante
authors.forename: Mirto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Foletto
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Busetto
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pomerri
authors.forename: Francesco Francini
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Pesenti
authors.forename: Maria Rosa
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Pelizzo
authors.forename: Donato
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nitti
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005743:Gastrectomy / Q000379:methods*; D015391:Gastroplasty / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid; D012086:Reoperation; D017792:Surgical Stapling; D017211:Treatment Failure