Band infection with splenoportal venous thrombosis: an unusual but severe complication of gastric banding.
BACKGROUND
Band infection after gastric banding is a relatively rare complication. In most cases, it is manifested by abdominal pain associated with fever, and/or an abscess surrounding the access port. The treatment of choice consists of band removal and antibiotic therapy, and is usually effective.


METHODS
Among the 322 patients having undergone gastric banding in our department, we report a 31-year-old woman who developed an infection of the band complicated by splenic and portal vein thrombosis 21 months after gastric banding.


RESULTS
BMI was 40.9 kg/m2 when she underwent gastric banding. Postoperative course was uneventful, and excess weight loss reached 105% after 18 months. An abdominoplasty combined with bilateral mammoplasty and thigh dermolipectomy were performed. About 3 weeks later, she developed an otitis with fever and left upper abdominal pain. Despite antibiotics, pain and fever persisted. The operative wounds showed no sign of infection, and there was no sign of peritonitis. Computerized tomography showed a left subdiaphragmatic abscess surrounding the catheter and thrombosis of the splenic and portal veins. Treatment consisted of band removal, antibiotics and heparin. Recovery was uneventful with complete resolution of the thrombosis.


CONCLUSIONS
Late band infection after gastric banding is rare, and is usually secondary to band erosion. Our case demonstrates that severe band infection can be caused by any infection causing bacteremia. Prompt band removal along with antibiotic therapy is the treatment of choice. Rapid treatment of any infection is mandatory in patients with a gastric band. Antibiotic prophylaxis during surgical and dental procedures could be useful in these patients.
Calmes
J M
JM
Department of Surgery, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland.
Bettschart
V
V
Raffoul
W
W
Suter
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005549:Foreign-Body Reaction / Q000382:microbiology; D015391:Gastroplasty / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006493:Heparin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D011169:Portal Vein; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D013162:Splenic Vein; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D006493:Heparin