Analysis of Gastric Banding: A Reversible Option in Surgical Weight Loss

Gastric ligation:

This surgery is used to treat obesity exceeding 20% ​​of body weight.

Surgical procedure:

A three-lumen two-balloon tube is inserted, epidural anesthesia is administered, the patient is placed in a supine position with the upper body elevated 30 degrees. An abdominal exploration is performed through a left upper rectus abdominis incision. The stomach is retracted downwards and to the right to fully expose the gastric fundus. The short gastric vessels are severed (the uppermost short gastric vessel is preserved). The surgeon uses their right hand to bluntly dissect from the greater curvature and back of the stomach towards the lesser curvature. A window is opened below the first branch of the gastric aorta near the omentum at the edge of the lesser curvature. A 1.0-1.2 cm diameter artificial artery is introduced and pulled out from the posterior side of the greater curvature. The anesthesiologist injects 60 ml of normal saline into the gastric pouch of the gastric tube and tightens the tube so that the pouch is close to the fundus and cardia. The artificial vessel is crossed and tightened at the distal plane of the pouch outside the stomach wall. The assistant's index finger is also inserted under the tightened inlet artery to leave a 1 cm gap in the stomach cavity at the ligation site. The artificial artery is intermittently sutured with 0.7 silk sutures, and the excess is removed. The gastric seromuscular layer on both sides of the artificial vessel is intermittently sutured to embed and fix the tube (Figure 11-7). The three-lumen two-balloon tube is removed at the end of the operation. The patient can drink 30 ml of water per hour in the afternoon. 60ml. Patients can be discharged two weeks post-surgery after a normal barium meal X-ray examination.

Advantages of Gastric Banding: Gastric banding has the following advantages:

(1) Simple procedure, allowing for early recovery.

(2) No incision of the gastrointestinal tract, eliminating the risk of gastrointestinal leakage and abdominal contamination.

(3) Food passes through the digestive tract in a normal order, which is more physiological.

(4) Patients can get out of bed and eat early without the need for parenteral nutrition, thus reducing or preventing early postoperative complications.

(5) Satisfactory weight loss is achieved after surgery, with no metabolic complications.

(6) This surgery is reversible; the bandage can be cut if necessary.

Furthermore, after gastric banding, patients significantly reduce their food intake per meal, prolonging the time food remains in the stomach. This mechanical restriction of calorie intake necessitates burning body fat to compensate for the calorie deficiency, leading to weight loss. However, nutrients can be completely absorbed through the gastro-gastric passage.