Single-Incision Versus Conventional Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding is an effective and popular bariatric surgery for weight loss in obese patients that traditionally involves up to 5 incisions. Recently, a more minimally invasive single-incision technique has been developed. In this retrospective study, we compare conventional and single-incision laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding with regard to weight loss and complication rates in a cohort of demographically similar patients. METHODS From February 2009 to February 2010, 59 patients underwent laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding by one surgeon at an outpatient surgery center. All patients were compared by age, sex, preoperative body mass index, 30-day complication rates, and excess weight loss. Thirty-seven operations were performed by a conventional, 5-incision technique, whereas 22 patients underwent the single-incision technique. The success of these techniques was determined by comparing complication rates and average percentage excess weight loss at 6-month follow-up intervals. RESULTS Patients who underwent conventional laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding had a mean age of 41.2 years and preoperative body mass index of 48.2 kg/m(2) compared with 43.9 years and 40.3 kg/m(2), respectively, for the single-incision patients. The mean operative time in the single-incision group was longer than that in the conventional group: 47.1 minutes versus 37.4 minutes (P = .0027). The overall percentage excess weight loss was not statistically different between the 2 groups for each follow-up period. There were no complications or deaths in either group. CONCLUSION Although patients undergoing bariatric surgery may choose the single-incision technique for cosmetic purposes, this retrospective review comparing single-incision and conventional laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding shows longer operative times with equivalent weight loss and morbidity.