Vertical Banded Gastroplasty: A Simple, Effective and Safe Surgery for Morbid Obesity

Background: The purpose of this study was to analyze the data of 92 patients who were treated with vertical banded gastroplasty (VBGP) for morbid obesity. We wanted to show that VBGP is a simple, effective and safe surgery for an experienced gastrointestinal surgeon. Methods: From January 1994 through June 2000, 92 patients with morbid obesity who were treated with VBGP were enrolled into this study. All associated data were corrected and analyzed. The gastric pouch was created with end-to-end anastomosis instrument (EEA-31) and two applications of thoracic anastomosis instrument (TA)90-4.8 or TA90-B. The outlet of the gastric pouch was 10 to 12 mm in diameter. The results were classified as excellent, good, fair, poor, and bad. Results: Staple disruption occurred in four patients with two applications of TA90-4.8 at the beginning of the series. No surgical deaths occurred. Fifteen patients had excellent results. Thirty-eight patients had good results. Twenty-three patients had fair results. Only 16 patients had poor or bad results. Conclusion: VBGP is a simple, effective and safe surgery for an experienced gastrointestinal surgeon in management of morbid obesity. The associated morbidity and mortality rates are low and the results are good.