Gastroscopic removal of an adjustable gastric band after partial intragastric migration.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic implantation of an adjustable gastric band is being performed widely. One potential complication is the transgastric migration of the band, that should be extracted. METHODS: The authors report a series of 182 patients, followed prospectively, October 1996 - April 2002, who had undergone insertion of the Swedish adjustable gastric band. All implantations had been completed by laparoscopy alone. RESULTS: There were no deaths. 15 complications were detected, of which 7 were intragastric migrations of the band (3.8%) at an average follow-up of 40 months. 6 were treated successfully by gastroscopy only, with a new cutter device and without complications. CONCLUSION: The endoscopic technique is beneficial even when the intraluminal migration is partial.