Banded versus nonbanded sleeve gastrectomy: 5-year results of a matched-pair analysis

Background Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (SG) achieves excellent weight loss, yet recent reports indicate weight regain in a substantial number of patients. Objectives Inserting a nonadjustable gastric band may improve weight loss after SG. Setting University Hospital, Germany. Methods In a retrospective matched-pair analysis 51 patients who underwent banded SG (BSG) using a silicone ring between November 2010 and May 2017 were compared with patients who underwent conventional SG regarding weight loss, complications, and co-morbidity. Median follow-up was 5 years. Results Total weight loss was equal in the early follow-up (P = .118 and P = .111) but significantly better in BSG 3 and 5 years after surgery (BSG versus SG at 3 yr 38.7% ± 7.8, n = 33 versus 31.9 ± 10.7, n = 33, P = .002; BSG versus SG at 5 yr 37.6% ± 8.5, n = 27 versus 29.5 ± 12.9, n = 23, P = .008). Ring placement had no significant impact on clinical reflux signs (Fisher's exact test P > .999), yet 37 % of BSG patients reported ≥1 regurgitation per week (Fisher's exact test P = .013, odds ratio 12.4). Conclusion BSG leads to better weight loss than nonbanded SG 5 years after surgery. This comes at the expense of a higher rate of regurgitation. At a time in which weight loss limitations of a stand-alone SG are becoming a clinical problem, banding the sleeve may be a strategy to improve weight loss with this procedure.