title: Band slippage--a potentially life-threatening complication after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although gastric bands are safe and effective devices, severe late complications may develop in rare cases.
  
  
  METHODS
  3 patients were treated for complete dysphagia after slippage of gastric bands. 2 of the patients were admitted for severe dehydration, 1 of whom developed cerebral venous infarction. Ischemia of the gastric pouch occurred in 1 patient.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All 3 patients survived after successful medical therapy and surgical removal of the bands. Bariatric reoperations were performed in 2 patients (gastric sleeve resection, gastric bypass).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Complete dysphagia on the basis of band slippage represents a life-threatening acute event, which may occur even years after implantation. Patients and doctors should be informed about this long-term risk of gastric banding.
authors.affiliation: Surgical Department, Rudolfstiftung Hospital, Vienna, Austria. Stefan.Kriwanek@wienkav.at
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kriwanek
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schermann
authors.forename: Sirwan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ali Abdullah
authors.forename: Rudolf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Roka
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016638:Critical Illness; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015390:Gastric Bypass / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D012086:Reoperation; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome