Endoscopic Management of Dysfunctioning Gastric Band after Sleeve Gastrectomy with the Luso-Cor^® Esophageal Stent

Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) can be aided by the addition of a calibration silicone ring, banded SG (BSG). It provides better weight loss than non-banded SG but with higher rate of adverse events. The aim of this case report is to further contribute to the knowledge of how to endoscopically manage these patients by placing a new esophageal stent (Luso-Cor^®). A 58-year-old female with grade III obesity (weight 110 kg, BMI: 45.2 kg/m²) underwent SG in 2013. Due to the limited weight loss, a surgical calibration silicon ring was placed in 2017. In the following months, she developed recurrent and abundant postprandial regurgitation, achieving a minimum weight of 66 kg (BMI: 27.1 kg/m²). Gastroesophageal transit showed a stricture at the junction of the gastric corpus and antrum, causing gastric outlet obstruction. Endoscopy identified a regular luminal stenosis with normal mucosa, which allowed easy passage of the endoscope with slight pressure. Two sessions of endoscopic dilatation were performed, first with an 18-mm through-the-scope balloon and later with a 30-mm pneumatic balloon without symptomatic relief. A two-step endoscopic therapeutic approach was proposed to first promote intragastric ring erosion by placing a new partially covered metallic stent, Luso-Cor^® esophageal stent 30/20/30 × 240 mm, and subsequently retrieve the stent, followed by cutting and retrieval of the ring. The proximal flare with a 30 mm diameter was placed in the distal esophagus and the distal edge in the prepyloric antrum. However, 2 weeks later, she complained of vomiting and abdominal fullness. Complete migration of the proximal flare of the stent into the remnant gastric fundus was seen on the contrast study. Endoscopy was performed, and the stent was easily removed. A blue calibration ring, partially eroded into the gastric lumen, was observed at the site of gastric tube stenosis. After stent removal, the patient was asymptomatic, and so conservative follow-up was decided. A follow-up endoscopy, performed 5 months later, showed complete reepithelization of the eroded ring. The patient remains asymptomatic after 3 years of follow-up and has regained weight up to 76 kg (BMI: 31.2 kg/m²). The efficacy of endoscopy on the management of ring-related adverse events has been previously reported. Small-case series describe the use of multiple pneumatic dilations or the deployment of plastic or covered metallic stents to cause erosion of the overlying mucosa, followed by cutting and retrieval of the ring. In conclusion, we believe that the mural pressure exerted by the Luso-Cor^® esophageal stent, in the limited period it remained in situ, was sufficient to relieve the luminal pressure of the silicon ring, realigning the ring with the remnant gastric tube. This rare clinical entity highlights the potential role of specific metallic stents in the management of these patients.