Gastric Band after 15 Years: Migration Rates and Management

Background: Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) was once a widely adopted bariatric procedure due to its reversibility and minimally invasive nature. However, concerns about long-term complications, particularly intragastric migration and slippage, have led to a decline in its use. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of 411 patients who underwent LAGB between 2002 and 2010 at a tertiary care center. Data on demographics, complication rates, time to onset, and management strategies were analyzed. Follow-up data were available for 178 patients over a 15-year period. Results: Band migration was diagnosed in 33 patients (18.5%), with a median detection time of 74 months post-implantation. Most cases (54.5%) were diagnosed between 6 and 10 years postoperatively. Common clinical presentations included weight regain (45.4%) and port-site infection with fever (33.3%), while 21.2% were asymptomatic. Surgical removal was performed in all migration cases, with a laparoscopic approach successfully used in 84.8%. Conversion to open surgery was necessary in 2 patients, and primary laparotomy was used in 3 early cases. Band slippage occurred in 10.7% of patients, with 63.2% requiring surgical intervention. Postoperative complications were minimal and managed conservatively. Conclusions: Our findings confirm that LAGB is associated with a significant long-term risk of complications, particularly band migration, which may occur more than a decade postoperatively. Long-term follow-up is essential, and routine upper GI imaging should be considered in all patients with LAGB, especially in those presenting with port-site infections. These results highlight the importance of individualized management and long-term vigilance in patients undergoing LAGB.