Assessment of the outcome of laparoscopic nonadjustable gastric banding and stoma adjustable gastric banding: Surgeon's and patient's view

Background: The results of nonadjustable gastric banding (NAGB) and stoma adjustable gastric banding (SAGB) in the treatment of morbid obesity are compared. Of 300 patients operated laparoscopically with NAGB since 1993 and of 25 with SAGB since 1994, 65 in the NAGB and 11 in the SAGB group were available for a 3-year follow-up study. Methods: For assessment of the outcome of our laparoscopic approach in terms of weight loss, length of hospitalization, immediate and late postoperative wound complications, postoperative changes in the band and pouch area, were compared in patients from both groups. The patient's opinion on the outcome of the operation and the quality of postoperative digestion was recorded. Results: There was no significant difference in the length of hospital stay and wound complication rate in the two groups or the weight loss at 36 months after surgery. There was a statistically significant lower incidence of postoperative food intolerance and vomiting and a lower rate of immediate and long-term reoperation rate in the SAGB group. Conclusion: SAGB is a method with less postoperative complications in food intolerance and vomiting in comparison with NAGB. (C) 1998 Rapid Science Ltd.