Short- and long-term results of laparoscopic gastric banding for morbid obesity

Background Today, gastric banding has become a common bariatric procedure. Weight loss can be excellent, but is not sufficient in a significant proportion of patients. Few long-term studies have been published. We present our results after up to 9 years of follow-up. Materials and methods One hundred twenty-seven patients (1997-2004) were analyzed retrospectively after laparoscopic gastric banding (perigastric technique: n = 60; pars flaccida technique: n = 67) in terms of preoperative characteristics, weight loss, comorbidities, short- and long-term complications, and quality of life. Results Median follow-up was 63 months (range 2-104). Incidence of postoperative complications were: gastric perforation in 3.1%, band erosion in 3.1%, band or port leak in 2.3%, port infection in 5.3%, port dislocation in 6.9%, and pouch dilatation in 16.9%. Total number of patients requiring reoperation was 34 (26.7%) [perigastric technique n = 23 (38.8%) versus pars flaccida technique n = 11 (16%), p = 0.039]. Mean excess body weight loss (%) was 50.6%. Most patients reported an increase in quality of life after surgery. Conclusions Gastric banding is effective for achieving weight loss and improving comorbidity in obese patients. Obviously, gastric banding can be performed more safely with the pars flaccida technique, although the complication rate remains relatively high. Nevertheless, based on adequate patient selection, gastric banding should still be considered a valuable therapeutic option in bariatric surgery.