Early and Late Complications following Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding

There is limited U.S. data on short- and long-term complications of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) as a treatment option for morbid obesity. Hereafter, we present our experience with the first 154 consecutive LAGBs performed at Loyola University Medical Center. Inpatient and outpatient charts were reviewed retrospectively for all patients undergoing LAGB between November 2001 and February 2003 for perioperative morbidity and mortality and repeat operations. Thirty-seven men (24%) and 117 women (76%) underwent LAGB in a 16-month period. There was one (0.6%) death from postoperative myocardial infarction (MI) and one (0.6%) pulmonary embolism. Six (3.9%) patients required readmission to the hospital for dehydration. During a mean follow-up of 33 weeks (range, 4–69 weeks), 14 (9%) patients required repeat operations. There were five (3.2%) band slippages and one (0.6%) gastric erosion. Three bands were removed laparoscopically. Three slippages were revised laparoscopically. One patient underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Seven patients (4.5%) required port revisions for catheter disconnection (4), leak at port site (2), or flipped port (1). LAGB is a safe operative approach for the management of morbid obesity. The incidence of postoperative complications can be minimal with application of a standardized technique. LAGB should be strongly considered for morbidly obese patients who have failed nonoperative management.