[Celioscopic approach in surgical treatment of morbid obesity. Technique and results]

Three hundred and twenty Laparoscopic Adjustable Silicone Gastric Banding (LASGB) procedures have been performed in our institution from September, 1993 to January, 1997 for the treatment of morbid obesity. Before the first human operation a new prototype of the silicone band for laparoscopic use has been devised and a new surgical protocol developed in a preliminary animal lab programme. All the patients were morbidly obese (92-200 kg). The conversion rate to laparotomy has been very low (1.25%). Early complications have been rare. Pouch dilatation and/or stomach slippage has been the only significant late complication. The rate of this complication has been considerably improved by reducing the pouch volume and by putting more gastro-gastric sutures. The post-operative weight loss of LASGB has been comparable with our series of VBG and ASGB.