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Updated: Jun 6, 2026
An Ivor Lewis Esophagectomy Designed to Minimize Anastomotic Complications and Optimize Conduit Function
Published on: April 17, 2020
Conversion from band to bypass in two steps reduces the risk for anastomotic strictures
Yves Van Nieuwenhove1, Wim Ceelen, Katrien Van Renterghem
1Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, University Hospital Ghent, De Pintelaan 185, 9000, Ghent, Belgium. yves.van.nieuwenhove@ugent.be
Background:
Morbidity after converting failed laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) to laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) is three- to fivefold higher than after primary LRYGB. Allowing a time interval between band removal and actual gastric bypass might reduce local inflammation and reduce morbidity.
Methods:
This study is a retrospective single-center study of patients who needed conversion to LRYGB because of failed LAGB. Outcomes after conversion of LAGB to LRYGB in one or two steps were compared.
Results:
Between October 2008 and June 2010, 23 patients had a conversion in one step (group A) while, in 14 patients, the conversion was carried out at least 2 months after band removal (group B). The mean duration of surgery in group A was 150 ± 39 min while it took 181 ± 39 min to complete both steps in group B (p=0.02). Length of stay in group A was 3 (3-8) days, but was 5 (4-8) days for the two steps in group B (p=0.004). During a follow-up of 6-23 months, one pulmonary embolism, one epigastric artery bleeding, and three anastomotic strictures occurred in group A, while no complications were observed in group B. The BMI dropped from 41.4 ± 6.7 to 28.7 ± 10.8 kg/m(2) in group A and from 43.8 ± 5.8 to 35.3 ± 7.55 kg/m(2) in group B.
Conclusions:
Operating time and hospital stay are increased when conversion is performed in two steps, but, in this small series, this strategy decreased morbidity and more specifically the rate of anastomotic strictures.
