Journal of Obesity & Weight Loss Therapy
Open Access

Gastric band; Laparoscopic gastric band; Gastric obstruction; Gastric band slippage

Introduction

Obesity is becoming a worldwide pandemic [1] that is contributing to numerous medical comorbidities leading to death, such as diabetes mellitus, heart diseases, stroke, and cancer [2]. There are a wide range of methods for treating morbid obesity, including change of lifestyle and medications. However, surgery is the only robust option for managing morbid obesity [3]. A laparoscopic adjustable gastric band (LAGB) is a standard, minimally invasive bariatric procedure that leads to safe and effective weight loss of up to 40% of initial excess weight [4]. Gastric band slippage is a late complication of LAGB reported in 4–13% of cases [5]. Here we are reporting on a 51-year-old female who presented with a gastric band slip after two years of LAGB insertion.

Case Report

A 51-year-old female was admitted to the emergency department complaining of abdominal and chest pain associated with repeat vomiting, nausea, and loss of appetite for four days. The patient has a background history of laparoscopic gastric band insertion two years ago with considerable weight loss. The band was not inflated for one year and in her last visit – approximately three months ago – it was deflated. She was vitally stable with unremarkable physical and laboratory findings. The patient was transferred to the radiology department for a CT scan with oral and intravenous contrast, which showed complete gastric obstruction with a displacement of the gastric band to the mid-body and a markedly dilated stomach pouch with no contrast entering the distal body, a balloon within the band that is still dilated (Figures 1 and 2), and no evidence of ischemia. A trial of band aspiration was commenced; however, no change in patient status or relief of symptoms were recorded. The surgical team was consulted regarding the surgical removal of the band laparoscopically.

Figure 1: Coronal CT-scan viewing dilated pouch and slipped gastric band.

Figure 2: Sagittal view with displaced gastric band.

Intra-operative

Four ports were used, and a markedly dilated gastric fundus was seen with the band at the mid-stomach with no sign of ischemia (Figure 3). The band was dissected from the capsule and adhesions via the ultrasonic device and mono-polar diathermy. It was successfully unplugged and retrieved fully outside the abdominal cavity (Figure 4). However, the capsule created severe adhesion obstructing the passage of the boogie. Thus, further dissection was performed in order to remove the capsule, which helped to clear the stomach’s pathway. Post-operative

Figure 3: Dilated gastric pouch intra-operatively.

Figure 4: Unplugged gastric band extracted completely.

The patient's post-operative recovery was uneventful. She was discharged after resuming a regular diet. Only three doses of antibiotics were required during her hospital course. The first outpatient visit took place after 14 days. The patient raised no complaints and her wounds were clean.

Discussion

Bariatric surgery is the acceptable, sustainable weight loss method used for obese patients worldwide [6]. It entails various procedures that can be restrictive, malabsorptive, or a combination of both, and which are performed according to the surgeon’s preferences and the patient’s condition. An LAGB has many advantages for the surgeon: it requires fewer tools, has low surgical morbidity, leads to rapid recovery, has high adjustability and reversibility, and produces acceptable outcomes [7]. According to the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS), in 2011, LAGB accounted for 35.4% of all bariatric cases [8]. The first LAGB was described in 1993 by Belachew [9]. There are two LAGB techniques – the peri-gastric technique and the para flaccida technique – with many surgeons preferring the para flaccida technique [10].

Numerous complications of LAGB have been described in the literature. Some are minor such as pouch dilation (12%), gastrooesophageal reflux disease (7%), port prominence (2–6%), and port malfunction, while others are major, such as band erosions (<1%), slippage (5%), port infection, and gastric obstruction [11]. As mentioned earlier in this case, the patient experienced herniation of the band to the distal stomach, which is among the expected significant complications of LAGB. Common symptoms are abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, food intolerance, regurgitation, nocturnal vomiting, and severe dyspepsia. Patients sometimes present with severe chest pain upon ingesting solid or liquid food [12]. Diagnosis (GBS) can be achieved via patient medical history, AP abdominal X-ray studies, or computer tomography scan (CTscan), which reveals dilatation of the pouch and improper position of the gastric band [13]. There are five types of gastric band slippage: anterior slip (type 1 prolapse), posterior slip (type 2 prolapse), pouch enlargement (type 3 prolapse), immediate post-operative prolapse (type 4 prolapse), and finally anterior and posterior slip with gastric perforation (type 5 prolapse) [14]. Recognition of GBS requires urgent intervention through deflation of the band for symptoms relief and subsequent laparoscopic band removal or adjustment to prevent adverse complications such as stomach ischemia, necrosis, and subsequent perforation, which, according to the literature, have a 5–11% chance of occurring [14-16].

Conclusion

Gastric band slippage is considered a significant complication in laparoscopic gastric band surgery. Although it is not particularly common, reporting it remains crucial as identifying presentations and image findings can help to prevent unwanted complications in the future.

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