Background: From 1993 to 1999, 172 patients underwent adjustable silicone g
astric banding (ASGB) or laparoscopic adjustable silicone gastric banding (
LASGB). In 109 patients the adjustable band was placed via laparoscopy; in
the other patients it was placed via laparotomy (prelaparoscopic era, conve
rsions from other bariatric operations, conversions for laparoscopic failur
e). The conversion rate from laparoscopy to laparotomy was 9.3%, occurring
in the early part of our experience,
Methods: Mean age was 37.9 years, weight 135 +/- 14.8 kg (82-218) and BMI 4
6.3 +/- 5.4 (35.1-69.5). All patients had multiple band adjustments, tempor
ary antisecretive, electrolyte and vitamin therapy, and follow-upper routin
e.
Results: Weight loss at 3 years was 30.2%; mean percent loss of excess weig
ht was 62.5%. There was no mortality, The most important technical complica
tions were: gastric pouch dilatation that required band replacement or remo
val (5.8 %); mild gastric pouch dilatation reversible with adequate dietary
and pharmacological treatment (4.6%); intraoperative gastric perforation (
2.3%); band migration (0.6%). The band was removed in 2.3%, with conversion
to another bariatric procedure in 1.1%.
Conclusions: Results have been satisfactory thus far.