Medium- to Long-Term Outcomes of Gastric Banding in Adolescents: a Single-Center Study of 97 Consecutive Patients

Morbid obesity in adolescents has been treated effectively with laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB). We prospectively studied 97 consecutive obese adolescents undergoing LAGB over the course of 10 years. The average patient age at surgery was 17.2 ± 0.7 years; mean body mass index, 44.9 ± 6.1 kg/m 2 . Excluding those lost to follow-up ( n = 21), respective mean total weight loss and excess weight loss were 20.0 ± 16.6 and 46.6 ± 39.5% ( n = 76, 78.4%). An ascending trend line showed a significant positive correlation between excess weight loss and follow-up duration (mean 56.0 ± 22.0 months). There was no mortality or morbidity. Nineteen patients (25.0%) underwent band removal at a mean 43.0 ± 28.0 months. LAGB proved safe and effective over the mid- and longer term; it should be strongly considered as a procedure of first intention for obese adolescents.