Laparoendoscopic single-site adjustable gastric banding: technical considerations

Adjustable gastric banding: a comparison of models

BACKGROUND

There are several models of adjustable gastric banding in use with little evidence for choosing a particular model. The objective of this study was to evaluate factors for selecting a particular type of band in terms of weight loss, complications, and co-morbidities.

METHODS

From July 2006 to May 2012, 222 patients underwent laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) by a single surgeon. Patient demographic characteristics, weight loss, body mass index (BMI), percentage of weight loss (%EWL), complications, and co-morbidities were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were grouped according to the band model into 6 categories: 27 LAP-BAND Adjustable Gastric Banding System VG, 25 Allergan-LAGB, 20 LAP-BAND AP(M) Standard, 18 LAP-BAND AP(M) Large, 34 Realize Band, and 98 Realize-C band.

RESULTS

At 60 months follow up, in the LAP-BAND VG Group, the mean %EWL was 41%, percentage of co-morbidity improvement was 66%, and percentage of complications was 14.3%; the same percentages in the Allergan-LAGB Group were 41%, 0%, and 52%, respectively; in the LAP-BAND AP Standard Group were 42%, 20%, and 40%, respectively; in the LAP-BAND AP Large group were 38% , 12.5%, and 27.8%, respectively (at 48 months); in the Realize Band Group were 37%, 60%, and 0%, respectively (at 48 months); and in the Realize-C Band Group were 48%,12.5%, and 12.2%, respectively (at 36 months).

CONCLUSIONS

In terms of weight loss and co-morbidities, no differences were found supporting the choice of one model over the others. Short-term and long-term band-related complications occurred without any clear predilection. The port-related complications were significantly lower in the Realize bands.

Real-time near-infrared fluorescent cholangiography could shorten operative time during robotic single-site cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND

With the introduction of a new platform, robotic single-site cholecystectomy (RSSC) has been reported as feasible and safe for selected cases. In parallel, the development of real-time near-infrared fluorescent cholangiography using indocyanine green (ICG) has been seen as a help during the dissection, even if the data are still preliminary. The study purpose is to report our experience with ICG RSSC and compare the outcomes to standard RSSC.

METHODS

From February 2011 to December 2011, 44 selected patients underwent RSSC for symptomatic cholelithiasis. Among them, 23 (52.3%) were included in an experimental protocol using the ICG, and the remainder (47.7%) underwent standard RSSC. There was no randomization. The endpoints were the perioperative outcomes. This is a prospective study, approved by our local Ethics Committee.

RESULTS

There were no differences in terms of patients' characteristics, except that there were more male patients in the ICG group (47.8 vs. 9.5%; p = 0.008). Regarding the surgical data, the overall operative time was shorter for the ICG group, especially for patients with a body mass index (BMI) ≤25 (-24 min) but without reaching statistical significance (p = 0.06). For BMI >25, no differences were observed. Otherwise, there were no differences in terms of conversion, complications, or length of stay between both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

A RSSC with a real-time near-infrared fluorescent cholangiography can be performed safely. In addition, for selected patients with a low BMI, ICG could shorten the operative time during RSSC. Larger studies are still required before drawing definitive conclusions.