First experiences with Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding (LAGB) in the treatment of patients with childhood craniopharyngioma and morbid obesity

Craniopharyngiomas are embryogenic malformations which lead to eating disorders and morbid obesity due to hypothalamic involvement in about 50% of all patients with pediatric craniopharyngioma. The experience with laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) in obese craniopharyngioma patients is limited. We are reporting on four patients with childhood craniopharyngioma diagnosed at age 2, 11, 12, and 21 years. BMI-SDS at diagnosis was +0.9, +4.5, +4.7 and -0.1 SD. During follow-up, all patients developed morbid obesity (BMI-SDS: + 13.9, +10.3, + 11.4, + 7.3) so that 11, 6, 9 and 3 years after diagnosis LAGB were performed. After a follow-up of 4.5, 1.5, 3.0 and 2.5 years BMI decreased or stabilized continuously in all patients (BMI-SDS at latest visit: +9.9, +9.7, +9.5, +5.9 SD). The eating behavior changed in all patients profoundly. The addiction to food and especially sweets significantly improved based on self-assessment. In two patients a dislocation of the LAGB occurred and resulted in weight gain. We conclude that LAGB could be effective in weight reduction of obese craniopharyngioma patients with hypothalamic syndrome. Close follow-up is necessary in order to analyze long-term effects and complications of LAGB in patients with childhood craniopharyngioma and morbid obesity.