An 8-Year Experience With Endoscopic Management of Eroded Gastric Bands

Background/Aims:We review our 8-year experience with endoscopic removal of eroded gastric bands.Materials and Methods:From 2006 to 2014, 25 patients were diagnosed with band erosion. Clinical data concerning the endoscopic procedure were recorded prospectively and reviewed retrospectively. To remove the migrated band, we used an endoscopic approach with a Gastric Band Cutter (GBC).Results:The median time interval from the initial gastric band placement to the diagnosis of band erosion was 41 (18 to 67) months. Upper abdominal pain was the most common symptom (40%). In 24 of the 25 patients, we used the GBC to remove the band endoscopically. It was able to cut the band successfully in all cases except 1, where twisting of the cutting wire required conversion from endoscopy to laparotomy. In 2 cases, the band, after being cut, was locked in the gastric wall and required laparotomic removal. In 1 patient, we had to perform a surgery for intragastric penetration of the connecting tube broken close to the band. Our success rate was 88% in the single session, with no complications.Conclusions:Endoscopic removal of a migrated band with the GBC seems to be an effective and safe method for band erosion.