Results and complications after adjustable gastric banding in a series of 250 patients

Background: Morbid obesity contributes to many health risks including physical, emotional, and social problems. The increasing prevalence of obesity is a major public health concern since obesity is associated with several chronic diseases. Morbid obesity is the biggest independent risk factor for early mortality. Various options for the surgical treatment of morbid obesity have been developed with varying results. Methods: Between January 1996 and December 1999, we operated on a series of 250 patients (200 women and 50 men) at the General Surgical Department of the University Hospital in Innsbruck. The parameters that were evaluated included age, preoperative and postoperative body mass index (BMI), type of surgery, and intraoperative and postoperative complications. Results: The mean follow-up period was 12 months (range 3 to 18). The average preoperative weight was 135.5 kg (BMI 46.69 kg/m2). The average total weight-loss was 5.5 kg per month, reaching an average total of 35 kg after one year. The excess weight loss (EWL) after 12 months was 72%. Complications requiring reoperation occurred in 8.8%. Conclusions: In the first year after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, weight reduction of the study population was excellent. Additionally, the complication rate was reasonable with no mortalities.