Laparoscopic Vertical Banded Gastroplasty - an Effective Long-Term Therapy for Morbidly Obese Patients?

Background: Vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG) has previously been documented as an effective treatment for morbid obesity. We have described a laparoscopic technique to perform this operation. Follow-up data are now presented. Methods: A consecutive series of 139 morbidly obese patients were operated on with laparoscopic VBG. The patients were assessed with respect to peri- and postoperative morbidity, postoperative recovery and weight reduction up to 5 years thereafter. Results: Conversions to an open operation (n=6) and early reoperations (n=3) occurred in the early part of the series. Late complications were observed in 8 patients. The average weight reduction after 1 year was 50% of excess body weight, which remained also after 2 years. The continued follow-up covering 3 to 5 years postoperatively revealed a moderate weight gain in about 20% of patients. Conclusion: VBG can be safely performed by use of the laparoscopic technique. The average weight reduction after 1 and 2 years was 50% of excess body weight, whereafter tendency to partial weight gain was noted, suggesting an outcome comparable to that documented after the open surgical approach.