Pouch diverticula after vertical-banded gastroplasty

Diverticula of the proximal gastric pouch are rare after vertical-banded gastroplasty (VBG) for morbid obesity. We report the radiographic findings observed in a series of 12 patients with pouch diverticula.

Lesions were found along the posteromedial wall of the proximal gastric pouch and ranged in size from 10 to 25 mm. Only two patients were symptomatic at the time of diagnosis; in most cases, diverticula were discovered during studies performed as part of the standard follow-up protocol. Diverticula were followed up in 7/12 cases, and four showed slight enlargement over a period ranging from 14 to 53 months.

The presence of diverticula was not correlated with symptoms, postoperative weight loss, or clinical history, and no differences in long-term complications were demonstrated between VBG patients with diverticula and those without them.

We do not believe these lesions to be clinically important; at present, our patients are no longer followed up for this problem and undergo diagnostic examinations only if and when they develop symptoms.