Laparoscopic vertical banded gastroplasty: 5-year results

Vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG) has been a popular bariatric operation for the past 2 decades, and this operation has evolved into a laparoscopic procedure. However, reports of laparoscopic VBG (LVBG) from large series with longer results are limited.

From October 1998 to May 2002, 612 consecutive patients underwent LVBG. Mean age was 30.1 years and mean BMI 43.0 kg/m2. Laparoscopic Mason gastroplasty was performed. The change of BMI, obesity-related co-morbidities, and GI quality-of-life index (GIQLI) were studied.

The major and minor complication-rate was 1.14% and 4.58% respectively. The mortality-rate was 0.16%. Mean BMI fell from 43.1 kg/m2 to 31.2, 31.3, 31.4, 32.2, and 32.8 kg/m2 at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years respectively, with 93% follow-up. Revision rate was 9.2%. GIQLI decreased from 113.0 to 106.6, 110.9, 111.9, 112.1, and 106.4 at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years.

LVBG is safe and effective in weight reduction. The GIQLI failed to improve postoperatively even with good resolution of obesity-related co-morbidities. In carefully selected patients with diligent postoperative follow-up, LVBG is a bariatric surgery option.