Vadim Avulov, DO, David Brams, MD, FACS, Pamela J O’Brien, RN, MSN, NPC, Sara Tortorici, RN, MSN, NPC, Dmitry Nepomnayshy, MD, FACS. Lahey Clinic.
Introduction:
The objective of the study is to evaluate weather men loose more weight than women after a laparoscopic gastric banding procedure, as well as compare the rate of complications between the two genders.
Methods:
Analysis consisted of a single institution, retrospective cohort study of 553 patients who underwent laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding between 2006 and 2010. Follow-up beyond 2 years was available for 268 patients. Weight loss measure by the difference at the 2-3 year mark was compared against the initial consult weight. We defined successful weight loss at 2-3 year mark if a patient lost > 30% of their excess body weight.
Results:
Of the 268 patients, 211 (79%) were female and 57 (21%) male. The average initial weight at the time of presentation to the surgical weight loss center was 121 kg. At the 2-3 year mark, the average weight loss for males was 27.4 kg and for females 13.1 kg. Successful weight loss was accomplished in 61% of females and in 65% of males (p=0.602). During follow-up, there were a total of 9 band-related complications (3.4%), 7 in females (3.3%) and 2 in males (3.5%) (p=1.056). Table 1 compares the types of complications to the percent excess weight loss (%EWL) in each gender group.
Table 1
Gender | Band Complication | %ESL |
M | Pain at port site | -3.43 |
M | Pain at port site | 29.35 |
F | Band slippage | 80.52 |
F | Band slippage | 54.74 |
F | Esophageal food impaction | 49.6 |
F | Dysphagia | 44.3 |
F | Tubing disconnection | 40.22 |
F | Port leakage | 47.00 |
F | Port malfunction | 83.97 |
Conclusions:
There is no statistically significant difference in the proportion of weight loss in males versus females after laparoscopic gastric band at 2-3 years. There was also no statistical variation in the rate of band-related complications in both genders. However, the complications in females were in the patients who were successful in loosing > 30% their excess weight, where the opposite held true for males.