Conversion Surgery for Failed Adjustable Gastric Banding: Outcomes with Sleeve Gastrectomy vs Roux-en-Y Gastric...

Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) was once a preferred method of obesity treatment featuring a straightforward technique, removability, and good early results. In a significant proportion of patients, however, it was not a durable weight-loss procedure and has been associated with a high longer-term complication rate. The purpose of this study was to directly compare the results of conversion to laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) and laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) after failed LAGB.

Post-LAGB complications and weight outcomes of conversion (absolute weight, excess weight loss [%EWL], total weight loss [%TWL]) to LSG vs LRYGB were retrospectively reviewed and statistically compared using Fisher's exact test and the independent samples t test.

Over a 6-year period, 74/272 (27.2%) morbidly obese LAGB patients experienced marked complications requiring band removal. Forty-nine of these patients underwent conversion by LRYGB (n = 29) or LSG (n = 20). There was no statistically significant difference in complication rates between converted procedures and no significant difference in respective EWL and TWL (6-month EWL: LRYGB, 53.6% vs LSG, 51.3% and respective TWL, 22.8 vs 21.3%; 12-month EWL, 70.1 vs 56.1%; and TWL, 30.7 vs 23.2%; p > 0.05). All conversion patients were present at each time point.

Outcomes for LSG vs LRYGB following failed LAGB were equally safe and effective.