The complication rate during the first 2 years after SG in Germany is similar to that published in the literature. In order to improve the quality of bariatric surgery, an evaluation of data from a German multicenter trial is necessary to evaluate the position of SG in the bariatric algorithm.

As indicated by the worldwide trend, there is an ongoing change from restrictive bariatric procedures to malabsorptive procedures and sleeve gastrectomy. Although the BMIs of German patients undergoing bariatric surgery appear to be substantially higher than those of patients from most other countries, there were no differences in intraoperative and short-term complications or in overall outcomes during follow-up when compared with published studies.

Band migration requires band removal. Different symptoms and complications influence the kind of band removal. Multicentre data were evident in the case of high long-term complication rate after ASGB. Data of the German multicentre trial show the trend from restrictive bariatric procedures to malabsorptive approach.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), which form a rare group of neoplasias of the gastrointestinal tract, have not yet been fully investigated. Although good progress has been made in their diagnosis, classification of these lesions with regard to their histogenesis and biological behavior remains problematic. Between 1994 and 1998, 18 GIST patients underwere operation in the Department of Surgery. Twelve of these patients (67%) had stromal tumors in the stomach, and six (33%) had intestinal stromal tumors. The primary tumor could be removed in all patients with R0 resection. Six patients developed hematogenous liver metastasis, with the size of their primary tumor exceeding 10 cm. Extrahepatic distant metastases were not found in any case. Lymphadenectomy showed that lymph node metastases did not occur. Histological evaluation was made according to the guidelines of Lewin, Weinstein and Riddell. Currently established therapy is limited to complete surgical resection of the primary tumor and its metastases. Adjuvant or neoadjuvant chemotherapy approaches have failed.