[Gastric band erosion: Alternative management].

Area of Science:

• Bariatric surgery
• Gastroenterology
• Minimally invasive surgery

Context:

• Obesity is a global health crisis affecting 1.7 billion people.
• Gastric band erosion occurs in 3.4% of cases, posing a significant clinical challenge.
• Standard endoscopic or primary closure techniques are not always feasible for gastric band complications.

Purpose:

• To describe a novel laparoscopic technique for managing incomplete gastric band penetration.
• To present a method utilizing Foley catheterization to create a controlled gastro-cutaneous fistula.
• To offer a viable surgical option when endoscopic management or primary closure is not possible.

Summary:

• Laparoscopic removal of gastric bands was performed in five patients with incomplete penetration.
• Foley catheterization was employed at the perforation site to manage potential gastro-cutaneous fistula development.
• All patients experienced spontaneous closure of the penetration site, with one case of stenosis resolved endoscopically.

Impact:

• This technique provides a successful and useful alternative for complex gastric band erosion cases.
• It enables controlled fistula formation, promoting spontaneous closure and improving patient outcomes.
• The described method expands the armamentarium for managing bariatric surgery complications.