Comparison between subjective and objective estimates of upper pouch volume at gastric banding for obesity.

Small size of the upper pouch has been considered mandatory for good weight loss after different gastric operations for extreme obesity. In most published series the estimates of upper pouch size seem to have been subjective. The present report concerns gastric banding in 18 patients, with standardized objective measurement of the upper pouch made after subjective estimation independently by two bariatrically trained surgeons. The subjective determination resulted in statistically significant underestimation compared with the objective procedure. For adequate evaluation of the surgical method, therefore, it is important to measure the pouch size objectively.