Long-Term outcomes and experience of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding: one center's results in China.

BACKGROUND:Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB), as one major bariatric surgery for treatment of obesity, results in ineffective long-term weight loss and a high reoperation rate. The objective of this study was to evaluate the long-term effects of LAGB on the weight loss outcomes and reoperation rates of obese patients with different body mass index (BMI) levels in China. METHODS:A retrospective study was performed to review the follow-up data of obese patients who underwent LAGB at Shanghai Changhai Hospital between November 2003 and May 2013. The main outcomes included weight loss, percentage excess weight loss (%EWL), reoperation rate, and reasons for reoperation. RESULTS:A total of 254 LAGB procedures were performed in our hospital. By the end of May 2013, 145 Chinese patients (57.8%) were followed up, 99 patients with BMI ≥ 35 kg/m(2) (high BMI group) and 46 patients with BMI < 35 kg/m(2) (low BMI group). In the high BMI group, the mean %EWL was > 25% within 5 years postoperatively, but it decreased to less than 25% after 5 years. However, in the low BMI group, the mean %EWL at each time point was over 50%. The reoperation rate was 33.1%; it was 17.4% in the low BMI group and 34.3% in the high BMI group. CONCLUSION:LAGB is more effective with a lower reoperation rate for obese patients with a BMI < 35 kg/m(2) compared to BMI ≥ 35 kg/m(2) in our population.