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The Gastric Band That Is Not to Be

Efficacy, Safety and Performance of the Easyband™: a Multicenter Experience

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Abstract

Background

Access port problems after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding can be significant complications. The Easyband™ is an innovative type of gastric band, whose internal diameter can be adjusted by a telemetrically activated motor. The aim of this study was to evaluate safety, efficacy and performance of the Easyband™.

Methods

A total of 110 morbidly obese patients were prospectively enrolled. The Easyband™ was implanted laparoscopically by experienced bariatric surgeons in six different hospital locations. Patient characteristics, surgery details, postoperative weight loss, and complications were recorded. Follow-up lasted 2 years.

Results

Follow-up was completed by 78.2 % of the patients. Surgeons rated 71 % of each aspect of Easyband™ implantation as “easy” or “very easy”. Adjustments were successful in 91 % of the attempts. One or more adverse events occurred in 79.1 % of the patients. Thirty-six serious adverse events were reported, of which 50 % was device-related. One or more functional tests failed in 20.9 % of the devices, 8.2 % passed after a repeated test. A reintervention was necessary in 15.5 % of the patients. Mean weight loss after 2 years was 24.2 ± 14.0 kg, mean excess weight loss was 46.1 ± 24 %.

Conclusion

Excess weight loss with the Easyband™ was comparable with other gastric banding devices. Adjustment of the device was simple, non-invasive and more acceptable to patients than with a standard access port. However, a high incidence of device-related problems requiring surgical explantation occurred. The Easyband™ represents a major advance in gastric band design, but significant technical problems need to be resolved before further implants can be recommended.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Jean Closset and Marc Focquet for their valuable contribution to this study and Allergan for providing the Easyband™.

Conflict of Interest

Dr. Greve and Dr. Meesters report grants from Allergan, during the conduct of the study; Dr. Segato and Dr. Favretti report grants from Allergan Company, outside the submitted work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, Atrium Medical Center Parkstad, Henri Dunantstraat 5, 6419 PC, Heerlen, The Netherlands

    Henricus J. M. Handgraaf, Berry Meesters & Jan Willem M. Greve

  2. Healthier Weight Centres, 22 Upper Wimpole Street, London, W1G 6NB, UK

    David Ashton

  3. Department of Surgery, San Bortolo Regional Hospital, Viale Ferdinando Rodolfi, 37, Vicenza, 36100, Italy

    Franco Favretti & Gianni Segato

  4. Department of Surgery, St. Antonius Hospital, P.O. Box 2500, Nieuwegein, 3430EM, The Netherlands

    Bert van Ramshorst

Authors
  1. Henricus J. M. Handgraaf
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  2. David Ashton
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  3. Franco Favretti
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  4. Gianni Segato
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  5. Bert van Ramshorst
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  6. Berry Meesters
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  7. Jan Willem M. Greve
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jan Willem M. Greve.

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Handgraaf, H.J.M., Ashton, D., Favretti, F. et al. The Gastric Band That Is Not to Be. OBES SURG 25, 2239–2244 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-015-1704-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-015-1704-9

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