Gastric Banding: Intraoperative and Early Postoperative Complications and their Prevention

Background: Intraoperative and early postoperative complications in patients operated for morbid obesity were assessed. Methods: 114 morbidly obese patients underwnent gastric banding (non-adjustable or adjustable). The influence of body mass index (BMI), age and preoperative morbidity on the occurrence of postoperative ventilatory disturbances was evaluated. Results: Risk of postoperative ventilatory disorders increased with preoperative cardiovascular disease (p < 0.01), diabetes (p < 0.05), and increasing BMI (p < 0.01). Age, hypertension and pulmonary disease did not influence significantly the risk of complication in this series.There have been no deaths. Conclusion: In patients undergoing banding for morbid obesity, the potential for ventilatory complications increases with higher BMI, diabetes and cardiovascular disease in the preoperative comorbidities. Principles for postoperative care were developed.