Adjustable Silicone Gastric Banding (ASGB): the Italian experience

Adjustable silicone gastric banding (ASGB) is a recently introduced gastric restrictive procedure. From April 1990 to April 1992, 85 patients underwent ASGB at our Department. Patients' characteristics were: 65 females, 20 males, mean age 39.6 years (range 17-60 years); body weight (BW) 127.9 ± 23 kg; % ideal body weight (%IBW) 205 ± 29; body mass index (BMI) 46 ± 7; morbidly obese 68, super-obese 17. Mean follow-up is 353 days. Twelve months after the operation BW was 95.2 ± 23 kg, % loss of excess BW 52.1 ± 22, and %IBW 152.2 ± 30 (45 patients). Mortality rate was zero and postoperative morbidity was insignificant. As late morbidity, we experienced two slippages of the band and six stoma-stenosis with pouch dilatation. Therefore, a surgical revision without removal of the band was performed in eight patients. The band was removed in one patient because of band erosion. In conclusion, ASGB is a safe and effective bariatric procedure. The weight loss is comparable to that produced by more extensive operations. Moreover, ASGB is fully reversible and adjustable to the patients' needs.