Safety of the laparoscopic adjustable gastric band: 7-year data from a U.S. center of excellence.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) has become one of the most common weight-loss procedures performed in the United States. The authors' high-volume academic medical center has gathered a database of almost 3,000 patients who have undergone LAGB since January 2001. The goal of this series, the largest to date on LAGB outcomes at a single institution, was to assess complications associated with LAGB. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed using longitudinal data from adult patients who underwent LAGB between 1 January 2001, and 29 February 2008. General and band-related complications were reported for all patients. Death and reoperation for weight gain (LAGB followed by either a second band insertion or a gastric bypass) also were reported. RESULTS: Of the 2,965 patients who received LAGB during the study period, 2,909 met the criteria for inclusion in this analysis, and 363 (12.2%) experienced one or more complications. The most common complications were band slip (4.5%) and port-related problems (3.3%). Other complications were rare. Only seven patients (0.2%) had band erosion. Eleven patients (0.4%) underwent reoperation for weight gain. A total of 10 deaths (0.34%) occurred during the study period. Three patients died within 30 days of surgery. Two of these deaths (0.06%) were related to surgery, and one resulted from a motor vehicle accident. Seven patients died of causes unrelated to surgery during the course of the study. CONCLUSIONS: The LAGB technique is a relatively safe procedure with few early or late complications. Few LAGB patients undergo reoperation for weight gain, and mortality is very rare.

Impact of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding on pregnancy, maternal weight, and neonatal health.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) is a proven method for weight reduction. Less is known about pregnancies in patients after LAGB. METHODS: Information was gathered, through database and survey, on women who underwent LAGB at NYU Medical Center between 2001 and 2008 then became pregnant. RESULTS: Pregnancy occurred in 133 women, resulting in 112 babies, including six sets of twins. The average pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) was 32.7. Average weight gain was 11.5 kg, but was higher for those with pre-pregnancy BMI <30.0 compared to BMI >30.0 (16.4 vs 8.6 kg). Of singleton pregnancies, 89% were carried to full term, with cesarean section in 45%. Those with pre-pregnancy BMI <30.0 had a lower rate of cesarean section (35.71%), but it was not statistically significant (p = 0.55). Average birth weight was 3,268.6 g. Eight percent of babies from singleton pregnancies were low birth weight (<2,500 g), and seven percent were high birth weight (>4,000 g). Average Apgar scores at 1 and 5 min were 8.89 and 9.17. Four percent of patients developed gestational diabetes, and 5% developed pre-eclampsia. Band adjustments were performed in 71% of patients. Weight gain was higher in those who had their bands loosened in the first trimester (p = 0.063). Three patients had intrapartum band slips; one required surgery during pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: LAGB is tolerable in pregnancy with rare intrapartum band slips. Weight gain is less in those with higher pre-pregnancy BMI and those who had their bands filled or not adjusted. Babies born to these mothers are as healthy as the general population.