Endoscopic removal of dysfunctioning bands or rings after restrictive bariatric procedures

Intragastric band migrations or dysfunctions are common long-term complications of both vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG) and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (Lap-Band) that classically require surgical treatment.

In this series, we describe the endoscopic removal of partially eroded Lap-Bands or Silastic rings and noneroded dysfunctioning rings after VBG.

Case series.

A European, tertiary-care academic center.

This study involved 13 patients--3 with eroded Lap-Bands, 4 with eroded Silastic rings, and 6 with refractory outlet stoma stenosis after VBG.

Endoscopic removal was performed within 1 or 2 sessions, according to the presence and extent of band erosion at presentation, including optional placement of a self-expandable plastic stent across the band, followed about 6 to 8 weeks later by extraction with transsection, if needed, by using a wire-cutting system.

Technical success and safety.

One failure was caused by huge adhesion formation around a Lap-Band on the lesser curvature of the stomach and the left liver lobe. Twelve of 13 endoscopic removals were successful in 1 (n = 2) and 2 (n = 10) sessions.

Highly selected patients (tertiary-case academic center).

Endoscopic removal of dysfunctioning bands or rings is safe and feasible by the use of a 1- or 2-step endoscopic procedure.