Gastric band cutter to remove a migrated gastric band.

Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding is a popular method in bariatric surgery. A silicone ring is adjusted in the gastric fundus to create a smaller proximal compartment [1]. Intragastric migration of a gastric band is a common complication that might require surgical treatment. A 36 year-old woman who underwent adjustable gastric band placement 7 years before was referred to our center due to intragastric band migration (●" Fig.1). A specifically designed device (A.M.I. Gastric Band Cutter; CJ Medical, Haddenham, UK) (●" Fig.2) was used for an endoscopic management approach. With the patient under general anesthesia, an upper endoscope was used to introduce the metallic thread between the gastric band and trapped gastric mucosa. The thread was then recaptured with a polypectomy snare in a parallel fashion, trapping the band. Both ends of the thread were pulled and attached to the tourniquet on the handgrip of the device. The external metal sheath was compressed on the gastric band while twisting the tourniquet, cutting the band by strangulation (●" Fig.3). Surgical removal of the subcutaneous port and cutting of the connection tube were performed, releasing the band inside the stomach. The band was pulled out of the patient with the endoscope (●" Fig.4). The patient was discharged the next day without complications. After a 12-month follow-up there had not been any relapse of the patient’s symptoms or any complications. Intragastric migration is a relatively common complication of gastric banding (in 0.5%–7% of cases) [2]. Endoscopic removFig.1 Endoscopic image of the migrated gastric band in the subcardial gastric area. The band (white arrow) is in a small eroded tunnel in the gastric wall (arrow heads), while the connection tube (blue arrow) has partially migrated inside the gastric cavity. Fig.2 Components of the A.M.I. Gastric Band Cutter: ametallic sheath; b handgrip with tourniquet; c metallic cutting thread.