Is it possible to improve long-term results of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding with appropriate patient selection?

INTRODUCTION: The gastric band is still offered as a good bariatric option for highly motivated and carefully selected patients. The question is whether this faith is justified or not. AIM: To assess long-term clinical outcomes of patients who underwent laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) at a single bariatric center and to examine variables associated with patients’ adherence to scheduled postoperative appointments. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective review of patients who underwent LAGB between 2004 and 2009 was performed. The initial cohort included 167 patients. Data regarding sex, age, preoperative weight, hometown population and distance from the bariatric center, and gastric band volume were collected. Compliance was measured as the number of postoperative appointments. Clinical outcome was defined as percent excess weight loss (%EWL) at the end of the observation period or at band removal. RESULTS: The LAGB was performed in 167 patients between 2004 and 2009. The mean follow-up time was 90 ±24 months. Five (3%) patients were lost to follow-up; 37 (22.2%) had their band removed. The remaining 125 (74.8%) patients retained their bands and were included in the analysis. The mean %EWL was 33.0 ±26.6%. Thirty-one (18.6%) patients achieved %EWL > 50%. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that LAGB was not an effective bariatric procedure in long-term observation. Only 25% of 125 patients who maintained a functioning band achieved %EWL > 50%. Compliance was the only independent prognostic factor for weight loss. Other factors had no influence on outcome.