Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding in Qatar

Abstract

This retrospective study evaluated the effectiveness and safety of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding as a means of treatment of morbid obesity in Qatar. Methods: Seventy-one patients (59 females; mean age 32 years, range 18 to 60) underwent laparoscopic adjust-able gastric banding for morbid obesity. Their mean weight was 134.6 Kg (range 90 to 200) and mean preoperative body mass index was 49.8 Kg/m2 (range 36.5 to 70). Results: All patients were followed-up for a mean du-ration of 8.6 months (average 1 to 27). The mean excess weight loss was 27% (range 0 to 84). The operation time showed a marked reduction with a mean duration of 149 minutes in the first ten cases reaching to a mean of 81 minutes in the last ten cases. The commonest early com-plication was chest infection seen in 3 patients (4.1%). Late complications were seen in 5 cases (6.9%) most commonly related to swallowing. One case developed band infection severe enough to necessitate removal of the band. There was no operative related mortality. Conclusion: Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding is relatively an effective means for control of morbid obe-sity with a low rate of complications.