Gastric banding: intraoperative and early postoperative complications and their prevention.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Intraoperative and early postoperative complications in patients operated for morbid obesity were assessed. METHODS: 114 morbidly obese patients underwnent gastric banding (non-adjustable or adjustable). The influence of body mass index (BMI), age and preoperative morbidity on the occurrence of postoperative ventilatory disturbances was evaluated. RESULTS: Risk of postoperative ventilatory disorders increased with preoperative cardiovascular disease (p < 0.01), diabetes (p < 0.05), and increasing BMI (p < 0.01). Age, hypertension and pulmonary disease did not influence significantly the risk of complication in this series. There have been no deaths. CONCLUSION: In patients undergoing banding for morbid obesity, the potential for ventilatory complications increases with higher BMI, diabetes and cardiovascular disease in the preoperative comorbidities. Principles for postoperative care were developed.