Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Band Erosion Following Gastric Banding: How to Treat It

  • Published:
Obesity Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Background

Intragastric band migration is an unusual but major long-term complication of gastric banding: its frequency ranges from 0.5–3.8% and always requires removal of the band. Different laparoscopic, laparotomic or endoscopic methods are currently used for band removal.

Methods

571 morbidly obese patients underwent adjustable gastric banding from February 1998 to July 2006. Band erosion occurred in 3 patients (0.52%). In addition, 6 such patients were referred to our Department from other hospitals. To remove the migrated band, in most patients we used an endoscopic approach with a device designed to cut the band: the Gastric Band Cutter (AMI, Agency for Medical Innovation).

Results

In 7 of the 9 patients, we used the gastric band cutter to remove the band endoscopically. It was able to cut the band successfully in all cases except one, where twisting of the cutting wire required conversion from endoscopy to laparoscopy. In another case, the band, after being cut, was locked in the gastric wall and required laparotomic removal. In 2 patients, we had to remove the band surgically – in one case for port-site infection with subphrenic abscess, and in the other case for complete band migration into the jejunum associated with acute pancreatitis, cholelithiasis and choledocholithiasis.

Conclusion

The Gastric Band Cutter, when used, was successful in dividing the band in all cases except one, although we could not always complete the procedure endoscopically. Endoscopic removal seems to be the procedure of choice for band erosion, because it allows earlier patient discharge and avoids a surgical operation. It is advisable to perform the endoscopic removal in the operating theater, because of possible complications of the procedure.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Forsell P, Hellers G. The Swedish adjustable gastric banding (SGAB) for morbid obesity: 9-year experience and 4 year follow up of patients operated with a new adjustable band. Obes Surg 1997; 7: 345–51.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Doldi SB, Micheletto G, Lattuada E et al. Adjustable gastric banding: 5-year experience. Obes Surg 2000; 10: 171–3.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Belachew M, Legrand MJ, Vincent V. History of the Lap-Band®: from dream to reality. Obes Surg 2001; 11: 297–302.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Abu-Abeid S, Keidar A, Gavert N et al. The clinical spectrum of band erosion following laparoscopic adjustable silicone gastric banding for morbid obesity. Surg Endosc 2003; 17: 861–3.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Biagini J. Intragastric band erosion (Correspondence). Obes Surg 2001; 11: 100.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Niville E, Dams A, Vlasselaers J et al. Lap-Band® erosion: incidence and treatment. Obes Surg 2001; 11: 744–7.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Meir E, Van Baden M. Laparoscopic adjustable silicone gastric banding and band erosion: personal experience and hypotheses. Obes Surg 1999; 9: 191–3.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Regusci L, Groebli Y, Meyer JL et al. Gastroscopic removal of an adjustable gastric band after partial intragastric migration. Obes Surg 2003; 13: 281–4.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Zappa MA, Micheletto G, Lattuada E et al. Prevention of pouch dilatation after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding. Obes Surg 2006; 16: 132–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Weiss HG, Nehoda H, Labeck B et al. Adjustable gastric and esophagogastric banding: a randomized clinical trial. Obes Surg 2002; 12: 573–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. O’Brien PE, McPhail T, Chaston TB et al. Systematic review of medium-term weight loss after bariatric operations. Obes Surg 2006; 16: 1032–40.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Weiss H, Nehoda H, Labeck B et al. Deflated adjustable gastric band migration through anterior gastric wall. Endoscopy 2000; 32: S35.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Forsell P. Experience with the Swedish adjustable gastric band. In: Deitel M, ed. Update: Surgery for the Morbidly Obese Patient. Toronto: FD-Communications 2000: 359–78.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Angrisani L, Furbetta F, Doldi SB et al. Lap Band adjustable gastric banding system: the Italian experience with 1863 patients operated in 6 years. Surg Endosc 2003; 17: 409–12.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Nocca D, Frering V, Gallix B et al. Migration of adjustable gastric banding from a cohort study of 4236 patients. Surg Endosc 2005; 19: 947–50.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Kasalicky M, Fried M, Peskova M. Some complications after laparoscopic nonadjustable gastric banding. Obes Surg 1999; 9: 443–5.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Niville E, Dams A, Ven Der Speeten K et al. Results of lap rebanding procedures after Lap-Band® removal for band erosion – a mid-term evaluation. Obes Surg 2005; 15: 630–3.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Abu-Abeid S, Bar Zohar D, Sagie B et al. Treatment of intra gastric band migration following laparoscopic banding: safety and feasibility of simultaneous laparoscopic band removal and replacement. Obes Surg 2005; 15: 849–52.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Mittermair RP, Weiss H, Nehoda H et al. Uncommon intragastric migration of the Swedish adjustable gastri band. Obes Surg 2002; 12: 372–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Sakai P, Hondo FY, de Almeida Artifon EL et al. Symptomatic pneumoperitoneum after endoscopic removal of adjustable gastric band. Obes Surg 2005; 15: 893–6

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Baldinger R, Mluench R, Steffen R et al. Conservative management of intragastric migration of Swedish adjustable gastric band by endoscopic retrieval. Gastrointest Endosc 2001; 53: 98–101.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fondazione Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Mangiagalli e Regina Elena, Milano, Italy

    Ezio Lattuada MD, Marco Antonio Zappa MD, Enrico Mozzi MD, Giuseppe Fichera MD, Paola Granelli MD & Giancarlo Roviaro MD

  2. Universita’ degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy

    Enrico Mozzi MD, Giuseppe Fichera MD, Fausto De Ruberto MD, Ilaria Antonini MD, Stefano Radaelli MD & Giancarlo Roviaro MD

  3. Ospedale Policlinico, Via F. Sproza, 35, 21124, Milan, Italy

    Ezio Lattuada MD

Authors
  1. Ezio Lattuada MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Marco Antonio Zappa MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Enrico Mozzi MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Giuseppe Fichera MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Paola Granelli MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Fausto De Ruberto MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Ilaria Antonini MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Stefano Radaelli MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Giancarlo Roviaro MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ezio Lattuada MD.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Lattuada, E., Zappa, M.A., Mozzi, E. et al. Band Erosion Following Gastric Banding: How to Treat It. OBES SURG 17, 329–333 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-007-9060-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-007-9060-z

Key words

Search

Navigation