Treatment of morbid obesity with laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding affects esophageal motility

Background: Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding has become the prefered method for the surgical treatment of morbid obesity in Europe. It is not known whether this procedure may induce gastroesophageal reflux and whether it may impair esophageal peristalsis. Methods: Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (Swedish band) was performed in 43 patients (median body mass index [BMI] 42.5 kg/m 2). Preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively all patients were assessed for reflux symptoms. In addition all patients underwent preoperative and postoperative endoscopy, esophageal barium studies and manometry, and 24-hour esophageal pH-monitoring. Results: The median BMI dropped significantly to 33.1 kg/m 2 ( P