Increasing number of bariatric procedures since the introduction of laparoscopic gastric banding instead of Mason gastroplasty in the treatment of morbid obesity

Between 1984 and 1996 we performed a Mason gastroplasty for the treatment o f morbid obesity: 14 patients (average age 40 (26-48) years, body mass inde x (BMI) 48 (37-71) kg/m(2), excessive body weight 67 (41-116) kg). Since th e end of 1996 we now apply adjustable laparoscopic gastric banding (lab ban d): 73 patients (average age 39 (22-64) years, BMI 45 (32-69) kg/m(2), exce ssive body weight 66 (41-116) kg). We compared the early and late results o f both methods. Early I results: no relevant morbidity or mortality for nei ther method. Late/intermediate results: reoperation rate for both methods 1 5 %. After an average of 3.7 years the excessive body weight loss (EWL) for gastroplasty was 54 (22-96) %. The EWL after lab band for 24 patients afte r 12 months was 47 (11-127) % and for 8 patients after 18 months 51 (28-139 ) %. Since the introduction of the lap band the number of bariatric operati ons has greatly increased. Nevertheless, the perioperative complication rat e has remained low and the long-term outcome is similar for both methods.