An unusual complication of gastric banding: recurrent small bowel obstruction caused by the connecting tube.
Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) is a widely performed surgical procedure for morbid obesity. The application of this mini-invasive approach has given the benefits of shorter hospital stay, less postoperative pain and quicker functional recovery. LAGB complications are related either to the access-port, such as port-site infection or tubing disconnection, or to the band, such as band slippage, pouch dilatation, or intragastric migration. We report a case of recurrent small bowel obstruction caused by the connecting tube around a jejunal loop, in a woman who had under-gone LAGB 3 years before. The diagnosis was difficult to establish because the clinical history and examination were non-specific. A 3-dimensional CT scan was needed to explain the cause of the recurrent abdominal pain, and the small bowel loop was freed from the connecting tube at laparoscopy.
Zappa
M A
MA
Fondazione Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Mangiagalli e Regina Elena, and Universita' degli Studi di Milano, Italy. marcoantoniozappa@libero.it
Lattuada
E
E
Mozzi
E
E
Francese
M
M
Antonini
I
I
Radaelli
S
S
Roviaro
G
G
D005260:Female; D015390:Gastric Bypass / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome