Minimal-Scar Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding (LAGB)

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) is the most commonly performed bariatric operation in Korea. Occasionally, patients have expressed their dissatisfaction with visible scars on the access port area and other port entries after undergoing LAGB. METHODS: Fifty-one "minimal-scar" LAGB operations were performed beginning in 2006 with a goal of minimizing visible scars, and 31 LAGB operations with a conventional port placement technique were performed previously during the first 3 years of our practice (2003-2005). We retrospectively assessed access port complications and difficulties in saline filling for band adjustment procedures using the two different port access techniques. RESULTS: Operating time, hospital stay, etc., were similar in both groups. The incidences of port complications (infection, seroma, malposition, etc.) were not increased by employing a port in the supraumbilical area using the minimal-scar LAGB technique. CONCLUSIONS: The use of minimal-scar LAGB resulted in a natural-looking and nearly invisible scar around the umbilicus. We submit that it is a feasible and attractive method that facilitates easy access for postoperative band adjustment.