Issue 92 Item 15 Stomach Surgery Improves Health of Obese Diabetes Patients

In the study, 50 patients (17 men; 33 women) with type 2 diabetes and weighed on average 137kg underwent laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB), where an adjustable band is placed around the upper stomach, and inflated with saline. All the patients had significant disabilities and had attempted to lose weight for 5 or more years.

One year after the surgery, there were significant improvements in all measures of glucose metabolism, 32 patients (64%) had remission of diabetes and 13 patients (26%) had major improvements in glucose control.  In addition, weight loss was associated with significant improvements in blood pressure, HDL cholesterol, depression, and health-related quality of life.

Early complications occurred in 30% of patients (wound infection 4%; respiratory support 2%) and late complications occur in 30% of patients (gastric prolapse 20%; band erosion 6%; tubing leaks 4%). All the late complications were successfully revised surgically.

Reference:Dixon JB et al. Health outcomes of severely obese type 2 diabetic subjects 1 year after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding. Diabetes Care  2002; 25: 358-63.