Intra-gastric band erosion from an un-inflated Lap-Band: a case report

The increasing prevalence of morbid obesity is of public health concern throughout the world, and surgical intervention seems to offer the only long-term solution to the problem. Gastric banding is one of the available options in the bariatric armamentarium. As more Lap-Bands are being inserted, intragastric erosion is increasingly being encountered as a major complication. The case of a 40-year-old man with intra-gastric band erosion is presented with the band never having been inflated, suggesting that additional factors may play a role in the development of erosions. The presentation, diagnostic modalities, and pathognomomic findings are discussed.