Endoscopic Treatment of Gastric Band Prolapse

Complications of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) are well documented including migration, erosion, prolapse, infection, pouch dilatation, and gastric perforation. Band prolapse within the first 5 years after LAGB is observed in about 5% of cases, requiring an operative procedure. Here we report our experience of endoscopic treatment of band prolapses. From December 2007 to December 2013, 1,347 consecutive patients (202 male, 1,145 female) underwent LAGB; 47 patients had band prolapses and 7 were treated by endoscopy. All patients were women (median age, 34 years). The mean preoperative body mass index was 38.3 ± 2.9 kg/m2. The mean duration to band prolapse after LAGB was 10.6 ± 5.6 months. The mean duration of endoscopy was 12 ± 3 min. One patient had recurrence of the prolapse 3 months after the first endoscopy and was treated by endoscopy again. There was no operative procedure required and no mortality. Endoscopic treatment of band prolapses is effective without the need for an operative procedure.