[Treatment of severe obesity by calibrated vertical gastroplasty. 55 cases].

OBJECTIVES

Evaluate short-term outcome of calibrated vertical gastroplasty in obese subjects.

METHODS

Calibrated vertical gastroplasty was performed in 55 obese subjects (BMI 43 +/- 1; age range 20-59 year). There were no post-operative complications. All the subjects were followed for 6 months and thirty one for a year.

RESULTS

Weight loss reached 28 kg at 6 months and 36 kg at 1 year with an improvement in functional manifestations, especially for dyspnoea and, in half of the subjects, for signs of depression. New or worsened psychiatric problems were observed in 4 subjects. Post-prandial vomiting persisted for 1 year in 28 patients. Dietary intake was lowered (946 +/- 61 kcal/day) as was protein intake (43 +/- 3 g/24 hr). Impaired glucose tolerance, raised serum insulin, triglyceride and androgen levels were corrected in patients with abnormal levels before surgery. Serum vitamin B1 declined.

CONCLUSION

These favourable results in the weight curve, functional problems and metabolic data should not mask the disadvantages and potential risks involved. Long-term prospective studies are required to determine the precise indications for this technique.