title: Initial Japanese experience with the LAP-BAND system.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Laparoscopic bariatric surgery has gradually spread in Japan since it was introduced in 2000. In 2005, we introduced laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) with the LAP-BAND system into Japan. Here, we evaluate our intermediate-term results with the LAP-BAND system.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between August 2005 and June 2010, 27 Japanese patients with morbid obesity (BMI ≥ 35 kg/m(2) ) underwent LAGB with the LAP-BAND system in our institution. Our patients' average weight was 111 kg and BMI was 41 kg/m(2) . All LAGB procedures were performed through the pars flaccida pathway with band fixation using gastric-to-gastric sutures. The average follow-up period was 48 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All procedures were completed laparoscopically. One early complication (sudden cardiac arrest due to postoperative bleeding) and three late complications (port trouble, megaesophagus, and band slippage) were experienced, and reoperations were performed in three of the patients. Weight loss and percentage of excess weight loss on average were 26 kg and 53% after 3 years and 22 kg and 53% after 6 years, respectively. In line with this good weight loss, comorbidities, especially those of type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome were frequently resolved or improved.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LAGB with the LAP-BAND system appears to be beneficial in obese Japanese patients.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Surgery I, Oita University, Oita, Japan. ohta@oita-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Masayuki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ohta
authors.forename: Seigo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kitano
authors.forename: Seiichiro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kai
authors.forename: Akio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shiromizu
authors.forename: Yukio
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Iwashita
authors.forename: Yuichi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Endo
authors.forename: Yuichiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kawano
authors.forename: Takayuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Masaki
authors.forename: Tetsuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kakuma
authors.forename: Hironobu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yoshimatsu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D015391:Gastroplasty / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008297:Male; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D012086:Reoperation; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss