Gastroscopic removal of an adjustable gastric band after partial intragastric migration

Laparoscopic implantation of an adjustable gastric band is being performed widely. One potential complication is the transgastric migration of the band, that should be extracted.

The authors report a series of 182 patients, followed prospectively, October 1996 - April 2002, who had undergone insertion of the Swedish adjustable gastric band. All implantations had been completed by laparoscopy alone.

There were no deaths. 15 complications were detected, of which 7 were intragastric migrations of the band (3.8%) at an average follow-up of 40 months. 6 were treated successfully by gastroscopy only, with a new cutter device and without complications.

The endoscopic technique is beneficial even when the intraluminal migration is partial.