One- to three-year results of gastric banding on secondary complications of morbid obesity in 625 patients

Background: Gastric banding for the treatment of morbid obesity is one of the means to treat the disease effectively. Based on the experience of more than 1,000 vertical gastroplasties and gastric bypass operations and more than 1,000 gastric banding operations at two different institutions, this study aims to evaluate a cohort of 625 patients receiving a low-pressure Swedish adjustable gastric band with major emphasis on secondary complications within the 1- to 3-year follow-up period. Patients and Methods: Between January 1998 and October 2001, 126 men and 499 women received Swedish gastric banding via a laparoscopic approach. The mean age of the patients was 36.6 years and their mean body mass index 41 kg/m(2). 61.8% had degenerative osteoarticular disease, 25.8% hypertension, and 7.2% diabetes. Results: After a mean follow-up of 19.5 months the incidence of hypertension was reduced from 26 to 18.6% (p < 0.001) that of osteoarticular disease from 62 to 18% (p < 0.0001), and that of diabetes from 7 to 3% (p = 0.0014). Conclusions: Gastric banding is safe and effective in the treatment of morbid obesity. The effect on secondary complications is clearly documented. Further long-term follow up is required