TREATMENT OF SEVERE OBESITY WITH A CALIBR ATED VERTICAL GASTROPLASTY - 55 CASES

Objectives: Evaluate short-term outcome of calibrated vertical gastrop lasty in obese subjects. Methods: Calibrated vertical gastroplasty was performed in 55 obese subjects (BMI 43 +/- 1; age range 20-59 year), There were no post-operative complications. All the subjects were foll owed for 6 months and thirty one for a year. Results: Weight loss reac hed 28 kg at 6 months and 36 kg at 1 year with an improvement in funct ional manifestations, especially for dyspnoea and, in half of the subj ects, for signs of depression. New or worsened psychiatric problems we re observed in 4 subjects, Post-prandial vomiting persisted for 1 year in 28 patients. Dietary intake was lowered (946 +/- 61 kcal/day) as w as protein intake (43 +/- 3 g/24 hr). Impaired glucose tolerance, rais ed serum insulin, triglyceride and androgen levels were corrected in p atients with abnormal levels before surgery, Serum vitamin B1 declined . Conclusion: These favourable results in the weight curve, functional problems and metabolic data should not mask the disadvantages and pot ential risks involved. Lang-term prospective studies are required to d etermine the precise indications for this technique.