Is it necessary to deflate the adjustable gastric band for subsequent operations?

Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) is an effective method in the treatment of morbid obesity. However, it is unknown, whether deflating the gastric band before operations under general anesthesia is necessary to avoid complications such as nausea, vomiting, respiratory complications, and weight regain. Between January 1996 and June 2001, we performed LAGB on 408 patients at the University Hospital of Innsbruck. Of these patients, we identified 68 (16.7%) patients who were to undergo subsequent unrelated general, reconstructive, vascular, or orthopedic procedures. These patients were prospectively randomized into two groups: group 1 (n = 32) preoperative deflation of the adjustable band system and group 2 (n = 36) without preoperative deflation of the adjustable band system. There were no anesthetic or perioperative band-related complications in either group 1 or group 2. There were two reoperations necessary due to surgical complications unrelated to the gastric band. Operations after adjustable gastric banding can be safely performed without deflating the adjustable system.