[Gastric banding in the treatment of obesity]

Failure of conservative treatment of obesity stimulated the development of bariatric surgery. The authors performed in 1988-1995 GB in 248 obese patients with a mean overweight of 48.2 kg and with serious comorbidity. The mortality in the group was 1.6%, the morbidity 12.5%. Within 12 months after operation the overweight of the patients declined by 70%, within 24 months by 57%. In the majority of patients the comorbidity receded, the blood sugar level reached normal levels, dyspnoea and hypertension improved as well as the psychic state and social position. The attained results confirm that this treatment of morbid obesity is justified and the authors recommend its wider use. Perspectively laparoscopic gastric banding is associated with a reduced mortality and morbidity, however it is also associated with higher costs.