Short-term outcome in the first 10 morbidly obese adolescent patients in the FDA-approved trial for laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding

Background: We received the LAP-BAND Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) from the US Food and Drug Administration in December 2004 to conduct a prospective longitudinal trial examining the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) in morbidly obese adolescents ages 14 to 17 years. Objectives: To report the short-term results of LAGB in the first 10 adolescents with complete 9 months of follow-up. Patients and Methods: Baseline characteristics and outcome data were analyzed in 10 patients enrolled between March 2005 and February 2006. Results: All of the patients were girls. Their mean body mass 2 index (+/- SD) was 50 +/- 13 kg/m(2) and excess weight was 171 +/- 79 pounds. Comorbidities included depression (3 patients), sleep apnea (3), hypertension (6), dyslipidemia (7), insulin resistance (9), metabolic syndrome (9), and steatoliepatitis (in 4 of 5 patients with liver biopsy). Operative time was 45 +/- 9 minutes, and discharges were within 23 hours of surgery. Band-related complications were as follows: 2 dehydration, 1 pouch dilation, and I port revision. All of the patients lost weight, with a 9-month excess weight loss of 30% 16% (range 14%57%). Hypertension and the metabolic syndrome were resolved in 100% of patients (P = 0.04) and 80% of the patients (P = 0.01), respectively, along with significant improvement in the Pediatric Quality of Life and Beck Depression Inventory scores and a trend toward improvement in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol abnormalities (P = 0.08). Conclusions: At short-term follow-up, weight loss occurred with minimal complications, leading to early resolution of major obesity-related comorbidities. Continued evaluation of the long-term safety and efficacy of LAGB as a surgical adjunct to a comprehensive obesity treatment program is warranted. JPGN 45:465-473, 2007.