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Evolving Pattern of Laparoscopic Gastric Band Access Port Complications

Obesity Surgery volume 22, pages 863–865 (2012)Cite this article

Abstract

Laparoscopic gastric banding (LGB) is the commonest bariatric procedure in Australia. The commonest complication of LGB is access port or tubing (AP/T) problems, requiring revisional surgery. The aim of this study was to document the evolving pattern of AP/T complications. All patients whose LGB procedure (AllerganTM Bands) and AP/T revision (AllerganTM port revision sets) were performed by one surgeon (1999 to 2008) were included, giving 167 AP/T revisions in 124 patients out of a total 1,928 LGB patients. All patient follow-up details were prospectively recorded and retrospectively analysed. Incidence of LGB AP/T problems was 8.7%. Mean time to first AP/T revision was 2 years. Over the last 4 years of the series, the number of LGB insertions was constant, but the number of AP/T revisions progressively increased. Twenty-seven percent of AP/T revision patients required two or more AP/T revisions. Sixty-two percent of the AP/T complications were leaks. Half the AP complications were flipping of the AP. There was no correlation of AP/T problems with any changes to port design to date. Infection rate for LGB insertion was 0.67%. The incidence of LGB AP/T complications progressively increases with duration after LGB insertion. Occurrence of one AP/T problem appears to select a subgroup more likely to experience further AP/T problems. To date, revisions of port design do not appear to have solved AP/T problems. Recent introduction of a significantly redesigned port may reduce AP/T failures.

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Fig. 1

Abbreviations

AP/T:

Access port and part of the tubing

AP/T revision:

Removal and/or replacement and/or re-fixation of the AP/T without removal of the LGB

LGB:

Laparoscopic gastric band

Time to AP/T revision:

Months from the date of LGB surgery to the date of AP/T revision. In the case of recurrent AP/T complications, then it is months from the previous AP/T revision until the final AP/T revision

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Conflict of interest

No funding, input or advice was sought or received from Allergan regarding this research.

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Affiliations

  1. Department of General Surgery, Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

    Chek Heng Tog, Jeffrey Halliday, Yet Khor, Tuck Yong & Stephen Wilkinson

  2. 1 Victoria Street, Bulleen, Victoria, Australia, 3105

    Chek Heng Tog

Authors
  1. Chek Heng Tog
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  2. Jeffrey Halliday
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  3. Yet Khor
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  4. Tuck Yong
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  5. Stephen Wilkinson
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Correspondence to Chek Heng Tog.

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Tog, C.H., Halliday, J., Khor, Y. et al. Evolving Pattern of Laparoscopic Gastric Band Access Port Complications. OBES SURG 22, 863–865 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-011-0567-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-011-0567-y

Keywords

  • Laparoscopic gastric banding
  • Access port complication
  • Port and tubing complication
  • Port revision
  • Port infection