Modified vertical banded gastroplasty. Technique with vertical division and serosal patch.

A modification of Mason's vertical banded gastroplasty for morbid obesity is presented, along with experience from 62 treated patients. The modification consists of vertical separation of the reservoir and gastric cavities by division of the gastric wall with a linear cutter and use of a serosal patch to prevent leakage to the abdomen. No breakdown of the vertical suture line occurred. The one major complication was a posterior esophageal injury. Subcutaneous wound infection occurred in two patients. There was no pulmonary embolism and no death. The average weight loss at 1 year postoperatively was 40 kg from the initial body weight, or 61.5% of the excess weight. The body mass index at 1 year had fallen from 47 to 32.45.