[Bariatric surgery using an adjustable gastric band for morbid obesity: initial 30 patients in The Netherlands].

OBJECTIVE: Early evaluation of efficacy and safety of Adjustable Silicone Gastric Banding (ASGB) in the treatment of morbid obesity. DESIGN: Descriptive. SETTING: Red Cross Hospital, Beverwijk, the Netherlands. METHOD: In the period September 1991-September 1993, 30 eligible patients (5 men and 25 women, median age 37 years (range 22-60), median excessive weight 63 kg (18-94), median body mass index (BMI) 43 kg/m2 (28-53)) were operated. A horizontal gastroplasty was performed resulting in a pouch of 25 ml and a new stomach outlet with a diameter of 12 mm. The volume of the band may be increased in order to diminish the diameter of the outlet according to clinical needs postoperatively. RESULTS: The follow-up was 10 months in 13 of the 30 patients. After 6 months median BMI was 33 kg/m2 (23-38) and median loss of excessive weight 53% (27-94), after 10 months these 28 kg/m2 (23-38) and 67% (27-98) respectively. No patients died perioperatively; 52 gastric band adjustments were necessary in 17 patients. Complications consisted of: band dislocation (1 patient), functional stenosis (2), gastric perforation (2) and wound infection (1). Four patients needed reoperation. CONCLUSION: In this short term follow-up ASGB gave a good weight reduction. Advantages of ASGB are the reversibility of the operation and the adjustable outlet.