Obstructive symptoms associated with the Lap-Band in the first 24 hours.
BACKGROUND
The Lap-Band is a gastric restrictive procedure for the treatment of morbid obesity. We review the etiology of obstructive complications that present in the first postoperative 24 h.


METHODS
Fifty-six Lap-Band procedures were performed by one surgeon between January and September 2002.


RESULTS
Six patients presented with obstruction within 24 h of surgery: gastric slippage in three patients, gastric edema in one patient, and esophageal hypomotility in two patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Placing the band in an esophagogastric position as per Belachew and Weiner reduced our incidence of gastric slippage to none. Endoscopy with placement of a nasogastric feeding tube can relieve obstruction caused by esophageal hypomotility. Gastric edema with no clinical signs of obstruction will resolve with time. Clinicians must be aware of the unique complications that come with the advent of this new procedure.
Patel
S M
SM
Department of Surgery, Staten Island University Hospital, 65 Cromwell Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10304, USA.
Shapiro
K
K
Abdo
Z
Z
Ferzli
G S
GS
D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D020878:Device Removal; D004487:Edema / Q000209:etiology; D004750:Enteral Nutrition; D015154:Esophageal Motility Disorders / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D015905:Gastric Balloon / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017219:Gastric Outlet Obstruction / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D015391:Gastroplasty / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007441:Intubation, Gastrointestinal; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D013272:Stomach Diseases / Q000209:etiology