title: [Adjustable gastric band as surgical treatment for morbid obesity. Are worldwide results reproducibles in Spain?].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Adjustable gastric banding is a surgical technique used all over the world for the treatment of morbid obesity. In Spain, the number of patients treated with adjustable gastric banding is far lower than the average worldwide average. A number of reasons have been put forward to explain this difference.
  
  
  METHODS
  A program of bariatric surgery by means of implantation of an adjustable gastric banding was started in 2001, together with a dedicated follow-up protocol in order to prevent complications and improve results.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 132 patients were operated on between 2001 and 2011. The mean age of the 102 female and 30 male patients was 39 years, and the mean body mass index was 43. Follow-up was longer than 5 years in 61 patients, while the mean follow-up in the rest was 44.4 months. There was no mortality or severe morbidity. Eight patients (6.06%) underwent reoperation, 3 of them for complications related to the reservoir, 4 for slipping of the band, and one for erosion. One slipped band was removed, and a new one (of the Lap Band type) was inserted. Three slipping bands were converted to other techniques. The percentage excessive body weight loss was maintained in 54.8% of the patients followed-up for longer than 5 years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of our series are comparable to those reported in the literature and show that, provided that a close follow-up, like that performed by most groups, is implemented, adjustable gastric banding can also be a safe and effective bariatric surgery technique in our country.
authors.affiliation: Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, España. jesus.lago@salud.madrid.org
authors.forename: Jesús
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lago Oliver
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vázquez Amigo
authors.forename: Juana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sánchez García
authors.forename: Gabriel
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pedraza Toledo
authors.forename: Enrique
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mercader Cidoncha
authors.forename: Mercedes
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sanz Sánchez
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Turégano Fuentes
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D015391:Gastroplasty / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013030:Spain