THE SWEDISH ADJUSTABLE GASTRIC BANDING (SAGB) FOR MORBID-OBESITY - 9 YEAR EXPERIENCE AND A 4-YEAR FOLLOW-UP OF PATIENTS OPERATED WITH A NEWADJUSTABLE BAND

Background: We have developed an adjustable gastric band in which the stoma diameter can be adjusted from the outside. A standardized techni que was employed and the application of our band in terms of weight lo ss and complication rate was evaluated Methods: Between August 1990 an d November 1991, 50 patients (15 men and 35 women) were operated on by laparotomy. Their mean age at surgery was 41 (19-60) years. Mean preo perative weight was 134 (106-181) kg and the mean BMI was 46 kg/m(2) ( range 33-59 kg/m(2)). Results: No patient was lost to follow-up. Four were excluded from the study (brain tumor, pregnancy and two reoperati ons). The remaining 46 were followed for at least 4 years. At follow-u p, mean weight was 80 kg and mean BMI was 27.5 kg/m(2). The patients h ad lost a mean of 54 kg. Two patients (4%) had abdominal reoperation b ecause of technical problems. There was one incisional hernia and one minor wound infection, but no other significant complications. Conclus ion: This relatively simple method appears to be at least as good as t he other operations, and weight loss can be adjusted to patient comfor t. Currently, the procedure is being performed laparoscopically.