INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) is acknownledged as a popular and effective surgical option in the management of obesity and related metabolic diseases. This procedure is a remarkably safe operation from both a general surgical and bariatric perspective. It facilitates brief hospitalization and can be performed by single incision. METHODS: We analyzed the most common LAGB complications as intraoperative and postoperative gastric perforation, stomach slippage/dilatation, port/tubing complications and intragastric band migration which occurred in our long decades clinical experience. Detection, treatment and rate of presentation of each complication was evaluated. RESULTS: LAGB showed good long term results in terms of weight loss and resolution of obesity related diseases. Moreover, mortality due to obesity and related diseases appeared significantly lower in LAGB patients than in medically treated patients. CONCLUSION: Gastric Banding has a very low rate of early and late complications; these are also less severe when compared to more invasive procedures and are likely to be managed with mini-invasive techniques. In any case referral to a bariatric surgeon is deemed appropriate. KEY WORDS: Complication, Laparoscopic gastric banding, Morbid obesity.
INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) is acknownledged as a popular and effective surgical option in the management of obesity and related metabolic diseases. This procedure is a remarkably safe operation from both a general surgical and bariatric perspective. It facilitates brief hospitalization and can be performed by single incision. METHODS: We analyzed the most common LAGB complications as intraoperative and postoperative gastric perforation, stomach slippage/dilatation, port/tubing complications and intragastric band migration which occurred in our long decades clinical experience. Detection, treatment and rate of presentation of each complication was evaluated. RESULTS: LAGB showed good long term results in terms of weight loss and resolution of obesity related diseases. Moreover, mortality due to obesity and related diseases appeared significantly lower in LAGB patients than in medically treated patients. CONCLUSION: Gastric Banding has a very low rate of early and late complications; these are also less severe when compared to more invasive procedures and are likely to be managed with mini-invasive techniques. In any case referral to a bariatric surgeon is deemed appropriate. KEY WORDS: Complication, Laparoscopic gastric banding, Morbid obesity.