Background: The authors review preliminary experience with silastic ri
ng vertical gastroplasty (SRVG). Methods: Of 202 patients who underwen
t SRVG, 191 are more than 3 months postoperation and of these 165 were
accessible for review. Results: Pouch volume could not be readily mea
sured. The TA90BN stapler was occasionally difficult to apply exactly
at the angle of His. There was one subphrenic abscess, one gastric ble
ed, and one dehiscence. Vomiting occurred in eight patients who requir
ed reoperation: ring removal, three; cholecystectomy, one; conversion
to vertical banded gastroplasty, one; conversion to Roux-en-Y gastric
bypass, three. There was no mortality. Weight loss has been satisfacto
ry to 42 months. Conclusion: SRVG has been a relatively simple operati
on, with acceptable morbidity and weight loss thus far.