The Italian group for LAP-BAND - Predictive value of initial body mass index for weight loss after 5 years of follow-up

Background: Laparoscopic of the LAP-BAND System placement stage of obesity is a safe operation, but its indication in terms of stage of obesity is controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the 5 years stage of obesity results for weight loss in patients with varying preoperative ranges of body mass index (BMI). Methods: Data were obtained from the Italian Collaborative Study Group for LAP-BAND System (GILB) registry. Detailed information was collected on a specifically created database (MS Access 2000) for patients operated on in Italy from January 1996 to 2003. Patients operated on between January 1996 and December 1997 were allocated to four groups according to preoperative BMI range: 30-39.9 kg/m(2) (group A), 40-49.9 kg/m(2) (group B), 50-59.9 kg/m(2) (group C), and =60 kg/m(2) (group D) percent estimated weight loss respectively. Postoperative complications, mortality, BMI, BMI loss, and (%EWL) were considered in each group. Data are expressed as mean +/- SD, except as otherwise indicated. Statistical analysis was done by means of Fisher's exact test, and P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: After 5 years from LAP-BAND System surgery, 573 of 3,562 patients were eligible for the study. One hundred fifty-five of 573 (27.0%) were lost to follow-up, 24 of 418 (5.7%) underwent band removal due to complications (gastric pouch dilation, band erosion), eight of 418 (1.9%) were converted to other bariatric procedures, five of 418 (1.2%) died of causes not related to the operation or the band, and 381 of 573 (66.5%) were available for follow-up. Based on 96, 214, 64, and seven patients their preoperative BMI, Were allocated to groups A, B, C, and D, respectively. At time of follow-up mean BMI was 27.5 +/- 5.2 in group A, 31.6 +/- 4.7 in group B, 37.6 +/- 17.3 in group C, and 41.4 +/- 6.9 kg/m(2) in group D. Mean BMI loss was 9.8 +/- 5.4, 12.9 +/- 5.2, 15.8 +/- 8.1, and 23.2 +/- 4.9 kg/m(2), respectively, in groups A, B, C, and D. Mean %EWL at the same time was 54.6 +/- 32.3 in group A, 54.1 +/- 17.2 in group B, 51.6 +/- 35 in group C, and 59.1 +/- 17.1 in group D. Conclusion: Initial BMI in this series did not correlate with %EWL 5 years after the operation. In fact %EWL was almost the same in each group, independent of preoperative weight. Initial BMI was an accurate indicator of the results obtained 5 years after LAP-BAND in group C (50-59.9 kg/m(2)) and D (=60 kg/m(2)) patients, who remained morbidly obese despite their %EWL.