Outcomes of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding

AIM:To evaluate weight loss and surgical outcomes of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass(RYGB)and laparoscopic adjustable gastric band(LAGB).METHODS:Data relating to changes in body mass index(BMI)and procedural complications after RYGB(1995-2009;n=609;116M:493F;42.4±0.4 years)or LAGB(2004-2009;n=686;131M:555F;37.2±0.4years)were extracted from prospective databases.RESULTS:Pre-operative BMI was higher in RYGB than LAGB patients(46.8±7.1 kg/m2vs 40.4±4.2 kg/m2,P<001);more patients with BMI<35 kg/m2underwent LAGB than RYGB(17.1%vs 4.1%,P<0.0001).BMI decrease was greater after RYGB.There were direct relationships between weight loss and pre-operative BMI(P<0.001).Although there was no difference in weight loss between genders during the first 3-year post-surgery,male LAGB patients had greater BMI reduction than females(-8.2±4.3 kg/m2vs-3.9±1.9kg/m2,P=0.02).Peri-operative complications occurred more frequently following RYGB than LAGB(8.0%vs0.5%,P<0.001);majority related to wound infection.LAGB had more long-term complications requiring corrective procedures than RYGB(8.9%vs 2.1%,P<0.001).Conversion to RYGB resulted in greater BMI reduction(-9.5±3.8 kg/m2)compared to removal and replacement of the band(-6.0±3.0 kg/m2).Twelve months post-surgery,fasting glucose,total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein levels were significantly lower with the magnitude of reduction greater in RYGB patients.CONCLUSION:RYGB produces substantially greater weight loss than LAGB.Whilst peri-operative complications are greater after RYGB,long-term complication rate is higher following LAGB.