OTHER LAPAROSCOPIC BARIATRIC PROCEDURES

Laparoscopic surgery is regarded as a major improvement reflected by a rapid recovery and low perioperative and postoperative morbidity, In obese patients the gains of this new technique may be affected by obes ity-related problems, such as impaired respiratory function, high intr aabdominal pressure, thick abdominal wall, and liver steatosis. This r eview describes the development of laparoscopic vertical banded gastro plasty (VBG) and gastric bypass procedures; and it addresses questions such as feasibility, comparability to open procedures, procedure-rela ted problems, and recovery. The clinical outcome after laparoscopic VB G and gastric bypass is also updated. Up to May 1997 we have operated on 105 patients with laparoscopic VBG and another 26 completed laparos copic gastric bypass procedures. The weight loss after both procedures are in accordance with the weight loss seen dth open surgery. Procedu re-related complications are described in detail in this paper. It is concluded that laparoscopic bariatric surgery will remain an area of i mportance for clinical practice, research, and development.