Riassunto dello studio

82 obese patients on a waiting list for a primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) procedure were randomized to receive a laparoscopic adjustable gastric band procedure prior to surgery (n=41) or standard TKA protocol (n=41). The primary outcome of interest was the composite rate of: death; peri/post-operative complications resulting in delayed discharge; wound complications; prosthetic infection; and unplanned procedures and/or readmission. Secondary outcomes included change in BMI, weight, and pain, function and quality of life using the Western Ontario McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and the Veterans Rand 12 item questionnaires. Outcomes were assessed up to 12 months post-TKA. Results revealed that patients who underwent bariatric surgery prior to TKA reported a lower rate of composite post-TKA complications. Moreover, roughly 30% of patients who underwent bariatric surgery no longer required TKA and were taken off the waiting list due to symptom improvement.