Obesity Surgery, 5, 61-64 Gastric Banding for Treatment of Morbid Obesity: Preliminary Results G. Bajardi; G. Ricevuto; G. Mastrandrea; G. Pischedda; D. Valenti; G. Rubino; M. Florena Departmenf of Surgical and Anatomical Sciences, Division of General and Vascular Surgery, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy Background: gastric banding (GB) has been used for treatment of morbid obesity. Methods: a banding device, introduced by Broadbent and consisting of a self-blocking nylon strip covered with a silicone tube, was used in 13 patients who have completed l-year follow-up. This device was used for its mechanical properties, biocompat- ibility, ease of insertion and low cost. Results: at 1 year, mean excess weight loss was 51.6%, with all but one patient losing more than 25% of excess weight. Associ- ated illnesses resolved. There were two complications (15%): one patient required band removal for self- induced vomiting and one patient required repair of an incisional hernia. Conclusions: GB has had good results thus far. Reported differences depend on materi- als, stoma diameter, pouch size, and developing techniques. Key words: Morbid obesity, gastric banding, bariatric surgery Introduction Morbid obesity is a major health problem in devel- oped countries. Obesity increases morbidity and mor- tality, being a risk factor for metabolic and cardiovascu- lar diseases.l As dietary restrictions have been unsuccessful in maintaining weight loss, bariatric surgery may be considered the only valid chance for these patients. Among various surgical techniques, gastric banding (GB) is the simplest method to reduce gastric volume and consequently food intake. We present our prelimi- nary results on 13 patients whose follow-up is avail- able at 12 months. Reprint requests to: Professor G. Bajardi, Via Marchese di Villabianca 101, 90143 Palermo, Italy; fax: 01139916552645 0 1995 Rapid Communications of Oxford Ltd Table 1. Clinical data No. of patients 13 (10 female, 3 male) Age 30 (19-55) Height (cm) 164 (155-179) Pre-op weight (kg) 124.6 (lOl.rS148.5) Pre-op excess weight (kg) 66 (44.8-92.4) Pre-op excess weight (%) 111.1 (77-168) BMI 46 (38-57.5) Table 2. Associated illnesses Hypertension Effort dyspnea Diabetes Hypercholesterolemia Hypertriglyceridemia Amenorrhea Mild renal insufficiency 2 (15%) 2 (15%) 2 (15%) 3 (21%) 1 (7%) 1 (7%) 1 (7%) Materials and Methods During the period January-April 1993, 13 patients have been submitted to GB. Each patient was affected by morbid obesity in the absence of endocrine, gastro-oesophageal and psychiatric diseases;clinical data are shown in Table 1. Associated diseases are reported in Table 2. Surgical access was gained through a median xipho-umbilical laparotomy; a self-blocking nylon string, inserted in a silicone. tube, was used as the banding material, according to Broadbent’s model.2 Gastric stoma calibration was achieved by tighten- ing the band over a 12 mm diameter naso-gastric bougie previously positioned by the anesthesist.The proximal gastric pouch was calibrated by inflating with 30 cc of saline a balloon positioned at the distal Obesity Surgery, 5, 1995 61