Thirty months experience with laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding

Introduction: Since June 1996 we performed laparoscopic adjustable silicone gastric banding (LASGB), because of low invasivity, absence of malabsorption, reversibility, and postoperative regulation. Materials and Methods: Criteria included body mass index (BMI) >40 or >35 with serious obesity-related conditions. 154 patients underwent LASGB, BMI ranged from 35 to 65.7 (mean 43.7+/-6.2). Results: The laparoscopic procedure was successfully completed in 150 patients (97.4%). One patient was converted to the laparotomic procedure because of hepatomegaly; 4 patients had to be converted for gastric laceration during the laparoscopic approach. In one of these patients, the band was removed 7 days later for sepsis, followed by an uneventful postoperative course. The mean length of postoperative hospitalization was 2.3+/-0.9 days. Per cent of excess weight loss was 42.5+/-22.4 after 1 year. Conclusions: LASGB was feasible and effective.