Egyptian Experience in Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding (Technique, Complications and Intermediate Results)

Background: Surgery can provide effective longterm treatment for morbid obesity. The purpose of this study is to present an Egyptian experience of laparoscopic adjustable silicone gastric banding (LASGB) as a safe and effective treatment. Methods: 108 morbidly obese patients having body mass index (BMI) > 40 kg/m² were studied. 26 patients had a BMI > 50 kg/m² and < 60 kg/m², while 21 patients had a BMI ≥ 60 kg/m².The procedure was performed through a 4 or 5 trocar technique. Results: Mean age was 32.3 years. Mean BMI was 48.9 kg/m2. All except two procedures were completed by laparoscopy. Mean hospital stay was 2.2 days. Mean BMI after 12 months was 37.2 kg/m² and after 24 months was 34.3 kg/m². Mean follow-up was 2.1 years and included 87 patients (81%). Complications included: gastric perforation (1), pleural injury (1), liver injury (1), port complications (6), periband sepsis (1) and slippage (3).There were no mortalities in this series. Conclusions: LASGB proved to be safe and effective for the treatment of morbid obesity in Egyptian patients.