Comparison of Banded Versus Non-banded Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass: a Series of 1150 Patients at a Single Institution

Variations have been proposed in order to improve weight loss and decrease complication profiles in Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) patients. We previously reported a preliminary result of pericardial patch ring RYGB. We aim to report a detailed result of banded RYGB by comparing these patients to non-banded RYGB patients with larger case number and longer follow-up.

A retrospective chart review was performed in 543 banded RYGB and 607 non-banded RYGB patients who underwent laparoscopic RYGB between January 2009 and December 2014.

Thirty-day readmission rate was 3.1% (n = 16) in the banded group and 3.8% (n = 23) in the non-banded group. Thirty-day reoperation rate was 1.5% (n = 8) in the banded group and 1.6% (n = 10) in the non-banded group. Two mortalities occurred after a mesenteric venous thrombosis and an intracranial hemorrhage in the non-banded group. The differences in 30-day readmission and reoperation rates were not statistically significant between the two groups. Mean percentage of excess BMI loss (%EBMIL) dating from the time of RYGB was 53.1, 72.5, 76.5, 78.8, and 73.3% in the banded group, and 51.5, 73.5, 78.8, 79.0, and 74.8% in the non-banded group at 6, 12, 18, 24, and 36 months, respectively, adjusted for preoperative BMI. The differences in %EBMIL were not significant at any follow-up points between the two groups.

Banded laparoscopic RYGB with a pericardial patch may not demonstrate a significant additional weight loss or prevent future weight regain. We were not able to demonstrate a clear advantage of banded RYGB over non-banded RYGB.