Diagnosis and Management of Acute Gastric Distention following Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding

Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) is commonly performed for weight reduction in the morbidly obese population. Morbidly obese patients often suffer from many co-morbid conditions including diabetes. Diabetic patients may suffer from symptomatic or asymptomatic gastric dysmotility resulting in intermittent gastric distention. Following gastric banding, in the early postoperative period, patients may be unable to decompress trapped air in the stomach and may develop severe acute distention with associated risk for catastrophic results. We present the case of a diabetic patient who underwent an uneventful LAGB but returned to the hospital with severe abdominal and back pain. Following the diagnosis of acute gastric distention using an abdominal roentgenogram, the stomach was decompressed using a naso-gastric tube. Following initiation of promotility agents, the patient was successfully discharged home without symptoms. A high index of suspicion, prompt diagnosis and appropriate management can prevent complications of acute gastric distention in this patient population.