Small Bowel Obstruction and Erosion After Gastric Banding
Small Bowel Obstruction and Erosion After Gastric Banding
Introduction Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding is the most frequently performed bariatric procedure for the treatment of morbid obesity and is associated with low morbidity and mortality. Complications related to obesity surgery are rare and their presentation is often non-specific. Thus, it is highly important for physicians who are practising bariatric surgery to be aware of complications described in single-case studies or series when they come across similar complications even years after the primary bariatric operation.
Case presentation We report the case of a 47-year-old Malay woman who was admitted with symptoms and signs suggesting intestinal obstruction five years after gastric band placement.
Conclusions In our patient, the band connection wire tube was the cause of both small bowel obstruction and colonic erosion. Computed axial tomography is the cornerstone of the investigation of such patients. After surgical removal of the connecting tube, our patient recovered without sequelae.
In this era of rising body mass indices, the need for bariatric surgery also is on the rise. Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) is the most frequently performed bariatric procedure for the treatment of morbid obesity and is considered the least invasive form of bariatric surgery. LAGB, compared with other bariatric procedures, results in a shorter hospital stay, faster recovery, and cosmetically ideal scars. In addition, it is the only form of obesity surgery that is reversible. The long-term weight loss is approximately 50% of excess weight. LAGB is associated with low morbidity and mortality. In the literature, the overall complication rate is reported to be between 9% and 13%. We report a rare late complication: a simultaneous colonic erosion and small bowel obstruction caused by a silicone connecting tube five years after an LAGB.
Abstract and Introduction
Abstract
Introduction Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding is the most frequently performed bariatric procedure for the treatment of morbid obesity and is associated with low morbidity and mortality. Complications related to obesity surgery are rare and their presentation is often non-specific. Thus, it is highly important for physicians who are practising bariatric surgery to be aware of complications described in single-case studies or series when they come across similar complications even years after the primary bariatric operation.
Case presentation We report the case of a 47-year-old Malay woman who was admitted with symptoms and signs suggesting intestinal obstruction five years after gastric band placement.
Conclusions In our patient, the band connection wire tube was the cause of both small bowel obstruction and colonic erosion. Computed axial tomography is the cornerstone of the investigation of such patients. After surgical removal of the connecting tube, our patient recovered without sequelae.
Introduction
In this era of rising body mass indices, the need for bariatric surgery also is on the rise. Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) is the most frequently performed bariatric procedure for the treatment of morbid obesity and is considered the least invasive form of bariatric surgery. LAGB, compared with other bariatric procedures, results in a shorter hospital stay, faster recovery, and cosmetically ideal scars. In addition, it is the only form of obesity surgery that is reversible. The long-term weight loss is approximately 50% of excess weight. LAGB is associated with low morbidity and mortality. In the literature, the overall complication rate is reported to be between 9% and 13%. We report a rare late complication: a simultaneous colonic erosion and small bowel obstruction caused by a silicone connecting tube five years after an LAGB.
Source...