Laparoscopic adjustable silicone gastric banding: radiological appearances of a new surgical treatment for morbid obesity

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this report is to describe the radiologic appearances of laparoscopic adjustable silicone gastric banding (LASGB), a new surgical treatment for morbid obesity. In this procedure, a silicone band is fastened around the fundus, delimitating a small proximal gastric pouch and stoma. The inner surface of the band is inflatable and connected by a thin silicone tube to an access port. This allows postoperative stoma size adjustment by puncturing the port and injecting or withdrawing saline solution.

Methods: One hundred eighty patients underwent LASGB. A radiologic study protocol was established and performed in all patients, including preoperative double-contrast upper gastrointestinal (GI) series and single-contrast upper GI series on the first postoperative day and 1 month after surgery. Radiologic evaluation was also performed at each band adjustment and in case of persistent vomiting or inadequate weight loss.

Results: Postoperative stoma adjustment was performed in all patients. The optimal volume of saline was 1–4.5 mL. Percutaneous puncture of the port was impossible in three patients because of an inverted port. We observed 15 cases of pouch dilatation with stomal obstruction requiring reoperation. There were also nine cases of spontaneous band deflation caused by leaking reservoir in five cases and by disconnection between the connecting tube and the port in the other four cases.

Conclusions: Because radiologic evaluation is necessary after surgery and for band adjustments, radiologists are involved in the postoperative follow-up and may be asked to perform those adjustments themselves.