Laparoscopic gastric banding for morbid obesity: outpatient procedure versus overnight stay.

<bold>Background: </bold>In western countries, laparoscopic gastric banding is increasingly used in the surgical treatment of morbid obesity. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility, safety, morbidity, and costs of an outpatient procedure (OP) compared with an overnight stay (OS).<bold>Methods: </bold>In a 2-year period, 50 consecutive patients were randomized to an OP group or an OS group.<bold>Results: </bold>In the OP group, 76% of the patients were successfully discharged the same day, without readmissions. Four procedures were converted, and one complication occurred. The patients in the OP group seemed to experience more pain (p = 0.009). Satisfaction scores were 8.1 (OP) and 8.8 (OS) (p = 0.06). Half of the OP patients and most of the OS patients preferred a clinical admission. The OP treatment cost 600 euros less than OS.<bold>Conclusion: </bold>With proper patient selection, laparoscopic gastric banding can be performed safely and at lower cost as an outpatient procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]