Background: Gastric restriction is a treatment option for morbid obesity. Currently there are several types of adjustable gastric bands available, with two leading but conceptionally different systems, not just from a technical point of view but also from the long-term complication rates.
Methods: A literature search of articles published from January 1997 to December 2002 dealing with prospective or restrospective studies comparing results of treatment with the Swedish band and Lap-Band was carried out.
Results: 7 comparative studies fulfilled inclusion criteria, with a total of 1031 patients in the Swedish band (41-597) and 1305 patients in the Lap-band groups (34-821). Pouch dilatation/slippage and/or erosion in Swedish vs Lap-band were reported in the studies as follows: 1 vs 2 in study group 1, 0 vs 9 in study group 2, 0 vs 3 in 3, 3 vs 38 in 4, 0 vs 64 (slippages) and 4 vs 4 (erosions) in group 5. In study 6, 3 vs 3 dilatations and 0 vs 1 erosions were reported. Study 7 found 12 vs 42 long-term complications of this origin. Port-site infections, total reoperation rates and length of hospital stay were also compared.
Conclusion: The results of this meta-analysis reveal that fall in BMI is similar with both laparoscopic bands. Long-term complication rates, despite the fact that they have been defined in a similar way in all the included studies, may be higher with more reoperation rates in Lap-band(R) patients.