Hand-assisted laparoscopic vertical banded gastroplasty: report of a series.

HYPOTHESIS

Hand-assisted laparoscopic vertical banded gastroplasty is technically feasible and has weight loss and morbidity outcomes similar to those of the standard open technique.

DESIGN

Patients in this study met the indications for bariatric surgery and were followed up prospectively for postoperative morbidity, mortality, and weight loss.

PATIENTS

A total of 26 patients with an average body mass index (calculated as weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters) of 50.8 underwent hand-assisted laparoscopic vertical banded gastroplasty. Follow-up ranged from 3 to 18 months.

RESULTS

The hand-assisted technique was carried out efficiently, with low operative morbidity and no mortality. Weight loss during follow-up was similar to that described for the open technique.

CONCLUSIONS

Hand-assisted laparoscopic vertical banded gastroplasty is technically feasible and has weight loss and morbidity outcomes similar to those of the open technique in this first report of a series. The hand-assisted technique greatly facilitates performance of the procedure over the completely laparoscopic procedure and yet retains the advantages realized by laparoscopic surgery.