Vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG), introduced by Mason in 1982, is now discarded because of important long-term complications and technical difficulties to do revisional surgery. We investigated the long-term complications of VBG in our center and compared it with the literature data. Patients who underwent an open VBG at the University Hospital of Nantes between October 1991 and May 2006 were included. We reviewed preoperative clinical data, long-term outcome in weight loss, complications, and revisional surgeries with a long follow-up. Sixty-three patients (52 women and 11 men) were included, with a mean age of 43 ± 10 years and a body mass index of 46.7 ± 8.3 kg/m. The mean follow-up was 8.2 ± 4.2 years. At the end of follow-up, the mean excess weight loss (EWL) was 29.8%. Long-term success (excess weight loss > 50%) of the procedure was observed in 25 patients (39.7%). A second intervention was performed in 15 patients (23.8%), and three needed a third redo procedure. Six patients (40%) had this new intervention for late complications, and nine (60%) for weight regain. Weight loss is satisfying in the long term although the rate of reintervention is high. Long-term complication can be severe, especially with gastric stenosis that could lead to esophageal cancer. A second reintervention could be technically demanding, especially by laparoscopy, and the patients should be referred to a specialized center.
Long-Term Follow-Up of Autonomic and Enteric Measures in Patients Undergoing Vertical Banded Gastroplasty for Morbid Obesity
