Disappointing mid-term results after laparoscopic gastric banding in young patients

Abstract Background When gastric banding was introduced as a bariatric operation about 12 years previously, its early results were promising, with a low complication rate. Only a few long-term studies on this subject have been published. This study was performed to assess our results with laparoscopic gastric banding in young patients after ≤10 years of follow-up. Methods From January 1996 to December 2000, a total of 41 patients (83% female, 17% male) Results The mean preoperative body mass index was 44.26 ± 6.53 kg/m 2 , with a mean excess weight of 65.22 ± 20.48 kg. The body mass index after 1, 5, and 7 years was 31.50 ± 7.38 kg/m 2 , 31.12 ± 7.10 kg/m 2 , and 32.88 ± 5.68 kg/m 2 , respectively. The mean excess weight loss after 1 year was 60.07% ± 25.33%, and after 5 and 7 years, it was 64.84% ± 27.45% and 57.48% ± 28.07%, respectively. An improvement in obesity-related co-morbidities was observed in nearly all patients. Of our patients, 52% had complications requiring reoperation (27% pouch dilation, 10% band leakage, 5% intragastral band migration, 5% perforation of either the esophagus or the stomach, and 5% port disconnection). According to Bariatric Analysis and Reporting Outcome System, the long-term outcome was regarded as a failure in 40%, fair in 4%, good in 28%, very good in 20%, and excellent in 8% of patients. Conclusion Our mid-term results were disappointing, with a high complication rate and many dissatisfied patients.