Laparoscopic obesity-surgery: ,,Gastric banding". New trend without evidence?

Indication for operation in morbid obesity is a body mass index greater tha n 40 kg/m(2). Various operative procedures such as vertical banded gastropl asty and gastric bypass are used for therapy. Since 1994 the laparoscopic p erformed gastric banding is an alternative to conventional techniques. The mortality rate of this technique is below 1%, summarizing dates from the li terature of 905 patients the complication rate ranged to 24%. These results are comparable to conventional operations. Regarding the weight loss the r esults are comparable to the vertical banded gastroplasty. 80% of the patie nts loss 60% of their excess weight at 12 months. The rate of conversion to open procedure is low and rang es to 2.4%. Especially in obese patients th e laparoscopic approach offers the well known advantages of endoscopic proc edures. Open questions are the long-term effects and complications of lapar oscopic gastric banding.