Abstract
BACKGROUND: With no evidence to guide management of the gastric band in pregnancy, we aim to compare outcomes according to band management. METHODS: Data were collected on all women pregnant (November 2011-October 2012) following gastric banding, using the UK Obstetric Surveillance System surveillance system. We compared outcomes between band management groups and with national data. RESULTS: Band management was variable; deflation 43.4%, inflation maintained 56.6%. The deflation group had lower risk of small for gestational age infants (no cases vs. 11.3%; risk ratio = 0.14, p = 0.05). There was greater gestational weight gain (deflation 15.4 kg, inflation 7.6 kg; adjusted p = 0.05), and perhaps higher risk of gestational hypertension (deflation 10.5%, inflation no cases; p = 0.08) in the deflation group. Other maternal outcomes were similar between management groups but overall worse than national data. CONCLUSIONS: Deflation is associated with better outcomes for babies but worse outcomes for mothers than maintained inflation.