A 5-year experience of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding in China.
BACKGROUND
Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) has been our operation of choice for morbid obesity since 2003. The aim of this study was to review 5 years of LAGB procedures at a single institution in China.


METHODS
All patients who underwent LAGB at our institution from June 2003 to November 2009 were analyzed retrospectively. A telephone survey of patients was conducted in 2010.


RESULTS
This study included 188 Chinese patients, of which 69.7 % were female and 8 (4.3 %) were super-obese (body mass index (BMI) >50 kg/m(2)). The mean age of patients was 27.2 ± 9.1 years (range, 14-55 years), mean weight was 106.8 ± 24.7 kg (range, 67-230 kg), and mean BMI was 37.5 ± 6.2 kg/m(2) (range, 26.1-61.7 kg/m(2)). The mortality rate was 0 %. Six bands were removed (four for slippage). One operation was converted to an open procedure. Ninety-eight patients were surveyed by telephone. The mean weight loss was 17.6 ± 12.5 kg, and the mean follow-up time was 23.6 months. Percentage excess weight loss (%EWL) at 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years was 27.8 ± 16.4, 39.0 ± 23.1, 44.1 ± 27.3, and 43.1 ± 28.4 %, respectively. The nonresponder rate (%EWL <30 %) at 2 years was 33.3 % (20/60). Weight regain of more than 10 kg from nadir was observed in 10 of the 98 patients (10.2 %).


CONCLUSIONS
LAGB is a relatively safe procedure with few major complications. However, a minority of morbidly obese patients did not benefit sufficiently from their surgery.
Department of Endocrinology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China.
Qiaojun
Q
Han
Yue
Y
Chen
Jianbing
J
Zhuge
Zhaolong
Z
Zhang
Dajin
D
Zou
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D015391:Gastroplasty / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014839:Vomiting / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D015431:Weight Loss