Endoscopic Removal of a Gastric Band Completely Migrated into the Gastric Cavity

Remoção Endoscópica de Banda Gástrica Totalmente Migrada para o Interior da Cavidade Gástrica

 

Palavras Chave

Endoscopia gastrointestinal · Gastroplastia · Migração de corpo estranho · Próteses e implantes

 

Gastric banding is one of the most common and effective bariatric surgeries for morbid obesity treatment [1]. However, band migration occurs in up to 11% of patients within the first 2 postoperative years. Migrated bands have to be removed to prevent intra-abdominal infection or gastrointestinal obstruction or hemorrhage [1, 2]. Usually, they can be removed surgically by laparoscopy, but since 2000 there have been published reports of successful and safe endoscopic gastric band removal [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. The inclusion of at least 50% of the circumference of the band within the gastric cavity is required for endoscopic extraction [5]. The exact cause for cause of band migration is not known, but several different mechanisms have been proposed: (1) foreign body reaction to the band material, (2) surgical damage of the gastric wall during laparoscopic band implantation, (3) infection of the band site, and (4) band overfilling causing wall ischemia [5]. The presenting symptoms of gastric band migration are nonspecific and the most common are weight gain, port infection, and abdominal pain. Furthermore, up to 15% of patients are asymptomatic at the time of diagnosis [5].

We present a case of a 66-year-old female patient who underwent laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding for morbid obesity 10 years before (no endoscopic study had been performed since then). She was referred to our medical center for gastric band failure with weight gain and persistent nausea and vomiting within the past few months. An upper endoscopy was then performed and showed complete intragastric band migration (Fig. 1). After removal of the subcutaneous port component and cutting the connection tube, we first attempted to remove it intact endoscopically. However, due to its form and size, this attempt was not successful. Therefore, we decided to cut the gastric band using a device specifically designed for this procedure (A.M.I. Gastric Band Cutter; CJ Medical, Haddenham, UK). With the patient under deep sedation, a standard gastroscope was used to perform this technique. A metallic cutting wire was inserted through the working channel, passed around the band and was captured with biopsy forceps. Both ends of the cutting wire were correctly adjusted into the tourniquet of the handgrip and, by twisting it, the band was successfully cut by a strangulation mechanism. Then, the sectioned gastric band was captured using a polypectomy snare (Fig. 2) and was gently pulled out through the mouth with the gastroscope (Fig. 3). The patient was discharged on the same day. After a 3-month follow-up period, she remains asymptomatic and no apparent complication has been reported so far.

Fig. 1.

Completely migrated gastric band in the distal gastric body.

Fig. 2.

Sectioned gastric band removal using a polypectomy snare.

Fig. 3.

Gastric band completely removed.

Statement of Ethics

This study did not require informed consent nor review/approval by the appropriate ethics committee.

Disclosure Statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Authors' Contributions

Susana Marques did the writing of the manuscript. Joana Carmo, Miguel Bispo, and Cristina Chagas were responsible for the revision of its contents.