Laparoscopic conversion of vertical banded gastroplasty to a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

The vertical banded gastroplasty was the mainstay of bariatric surgery for over a decade. Though this procedure is now rarely performed many of these patients will present with failure or maladaptive eating and its sequelae. Some of these patients who demonstrate the motivation for lifestyle modification as well as many of these with complications will be candidates for revisional surgery. This article reviews the technical challenges in performing these revisions using minimally invasive techniques. In addition it reviews outcomes of laparoscopic conversion and tips for patient selection and success.