Comparison of weight loss and morbidity after gastric bypass and gastric banding. A single center European experience.
BACKGROUND
Gastric bypass and gastric banding are widely used to treat morbid obesity and both procedures offer certain advantages. The indication for these two treatment options continue to be subject to debate.


METHODS
A single-center case-controlled matched-pair cohort study was performed. Fifty-three primary gastric bypass patients (GB) operated between January 2002 and May 2005 were matched by gender, age, race, and initial bodyweight to 53 patients who underwent laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) in the same time period.


RESULTS
Both groups were comparable regarding age, race, gender, preoperative body mass index, and excessive weight. Severe early complications occurred in six patients (11.3%) in the GB group and were not seen in the LAGB group. Severe late complications occurred in three patients (5.7%) in the GB group and one patient (1.9%) in the LAGB group. No mortality occurred in either group. Weight loss was significantly lower in the LAGB group than in the GB group at all time points during the follow-up. Significantly more patients were treated successfully (excess weight loss >50%) in the GB group than in the LAGB group. After 2 years, 76% of the patients in the GB group were treated successfully versus 40% of the patients in the LAGB group (P = 0.03).


CONCLUSIONS
Gastric bypass and gastric banding are safe and without mortality. Gastric bypass is more effective in terms of weight loss and the number of successfully treated patients. Gastric banding is a procedure with less severe complications.
te Riele
W W
WW
Department of Surgery, Sint Antonius Ziekenhuis, Koekoekslaan 1, 3435 CM, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands. w.te.riele@antonius.net
Vogten
J M
JM
Boerma
D
D
Wiezer
M J
MJ
van Ramshorst
B
B
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D015390:Gastric Bypass; D015391:Gastroplasty; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009017:Morbidity; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D015431:Weight Loss