Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding. A prospective randomized study comparing the Swedish Adjustable Gastric Band and the MiniMizer Extra: one-year results

Introduction: A number of different adjustable gastric bands are available for laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding(LAGB). Few attempts have been made to compare the influence of band design differences for efficiency and complicationrate and conflicting results have emerged from comparative studies. Aim: To compare SAGB (Swedish Adjustable Gastric Band) and MiniMizer Extra adjustable gastric bands. Material and methods: One hundred and three patients were included in the prospective randomized study. Allpatients underwent LAGB. The SAGB was used in 49 and MiniMizer Extra in 54 patients. The primary endpoint wasweight loss, and secondary endpoints were complication rate, correction of co-morbidities and improvement of qualityof life. Results: There were no early complications. A significant difference in the proportion of patients who have reachedgood or excellent weight loss results (≥ 50% of initial excess body mass index loss) was found in favour of the Mini-Mizer Extra group (29.6% vs. 8.2%, p = 0.006). No difference was found in other weight loss parameters, resolution ofco-morbidities and improvement of quality of life. One oesophageal dilatation and one leakage were diagnosed in theMiniMizer Extra group. Five band penetrations (9.3%) were diagnosed in the MiniMizer Extra group and no penetrationsin the SAGB group (p = 0.069). Conclusions: No major significant differences were found between the compared bands. Further results need to beconfirmed by longer follow-up.