Morbid obesity (body mass index > 40 kg/m2) is a risk factor for cardiovascular, pulmonary, metabolic, neoplastic, and psychologic sequelae. In the present prospective clinical study 65 patients (11 men, 54 women) underwent
vertical banded gastroplasty (Mason procedure) from June 1994 to October 1997. The median age was 41 +/- 5.3 years (range 18-69; n = 65). Preoperative
body weight was 135 +/- 23 kg (96-229; n = 65), excess
body weight in kg was 75 +/- 6.9 (44-155; n = 65) or in % 126 +/- 10 (78-223; n = 65) and BMI was 49 +/- 7.4 kg/m2 (39-69; n = 65). Mean
hospital stay was 9.7 +/- 2.4 days (6-18; n = 65). Hospital mortality was 0% (0/65). Early complications were
vomiting (30%) and problems in wound healing (15%; n = 65). Late complications (> 30 days) were
incisional hernias (13.8%) and staple-line disruptions (12.3%; n = 65) with a reoperation rate of 23% (15/65). Median follow-up was 15.0 +/- 5.2 months (2-42) with a follow up rate of 100%. Mean
weight loss after 12 months was 38.5 +/- 17 kg (30-98; n = 34) (P < 0.0001) and loss of excessive
body weight 65 +/- 10% (57-86; n = 34), respectively (P < 0.0001). Cardiovascular risk factors (
hypertension, diabetes,
hyperlipidemia) were significantly improved within 12 months (n = 34).
Vertical banded gastroplasty (Mason procedure)--well established for 20 years--is a good, safe therapy for
morbid obesity if strict indications for operation are observed and if there is multidisciplinary long-term follow-up. Comorbid risk factors are considerably reduced and a long-term
weight loss of more than 50% can be achieved without the risk of pathological metabolic changes.