Laparoscopic vertical banded gastroplasty: early results with the JOVO procedure

Vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG) is an established treatment for morbid obesity for selected patients. This study seeks to assess the effectiveness of a laparoscopic version, the JOVO procedure, of the VBG.

An Independent surgeon interviewed all patients, who had had the JOVO procedure at one institution, evaluating weight loss, comorbid conditions, satisfaction and quality of life using the 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36).

14 JOVO procedures were done by two surgeons. Mean body mass index was 44 kg/m2, mean age 30 years and each patient had at least one comorbid condition. Mean operative time was 165 minutes. There was 1 complication, a suspected gastric leak requiring reoperation. Excluding this patient, mean hospital stay was less than 48 hours. Mean weight loss 4 weeks after surgery was 9 kg or 18% of excess weight. Mean excess weight loss of the 5 patients available for 1-year follow-up was 42% at 6 and 85% at 12 months; 1 did not continue to lose weight. All but 1 preoperative comorbid condition resolved or improved. 13 of the 14 patients were fully satisfied. SF-36 scores were high in the 13 that lost weight, especially in physical and social functioning areas.

The JOVO procedure is safe and reproduces laparoscopically the early weight loss of open VBG with much shorter hospital stay and low complication and failure rates. Longer follow-up and larger numbers are needed.