Treatment of morbid obesity with adjustable gastric band: Preliminary report

Background: The goal of surgery for morbid obesity is to achieve a good and durable loss of weight and improve health. Previous studies have demonstra ted a significant weight loss for the Swedish adjustable gastric band (SAGB ). Patients and Methods: Between November 1996 and April 1998, 18 morbidly obe se patients underwent SAGE laparoscopically. Their mean age at surgery was 35 years. The mean preoperative weight was 128 kg (range 89-163), and the m ean body mass index was 50.4 +/- 9. Comorbidity was present in 13 patients. Results: One gastric perforation occurred, and in one patient it was not po ssible to create the pneumoperitoneum. Regarding late morbidity, one intrag astric migration and one slippage of the band occurred. There was no mortal ity. Conclusion: The low morbidity, the good results with weight loss, and the i mprovement in comorbidity lead the authors to believe that Swedish adjustab le gastric banding for the treatment of morbidly obese patients is a succes sful means of losing weight and improving general health.