Simultaneous gastric band removal and sleeve gastrectomy: a comparison with front-line sleeve gastrectomy

The placement of a gastric band (GB) prior to a sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) would increase postoperative complications, whether it is withdrawn or not at the time of the LSG. The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate and compare postoperative morbidity and outcome weight for simultaneous GB removal (RGB) and LSG (the RGB + LSG group) and front-line LSG only (the LSG group) after unsuccessful GB. From May 2005 to May 2009, 305 patients underwent first- or second-line LSG at Amiens University Hospital. The primary endpoint was the postoperative complication rate (according to the Clavien classification) in the RGB + LSG and LSG groups. The secondary endpoints were intra-operative data, postoperative data, and weight loss over a period of 2 years (body mass index, percentage of excess weight loss, and percentage of excess body mass index (BMI) loss). Univariate and multivariate propensity score analyses were used to search for independent risk factors for postoperative complications. The RGB + LSG group (n = 46) had a mean age of 42 and a mean BMI of 44 kg/m(2). The indication for surgery was renewed weight gain or insufficient weight loss in 68 % of these cases. The LSG group (n = 259) had a mean age of 41 and a mean BMI of 49.2 kg/m(2). All procedures were performed laparoscopically. The complication rate was 8.6 % in the RGB + LSG group and 8 % in the SG group (p = 0.42). The fistula rates in the two groups were 4.3 and 3.4 %, respectively (p = 0.56), and the mean BMI at 2 years was 33.4 kg/m(2) (RGB + LSG group) and 34.4 kg/m(2), respectively (p = 0.83). The operating time for LSG (after subtracting the time associated with RGB for a combined procedure) averaged 107 min, whereas the operating time for front-line LSG was 89 min (p = 0.011). The propensity score analysis failed to find independent risk factors for postoperative complications. The performance of RGB + LSG is feasible and does not increase the postoperative morbidity rate. Weight loss after RGB + LSG validates the concept of "restrictive surgery after restrictive surgery". We did not find any independent risk factors that would have justified the avoidance of RGB + SG.