title: Endoscopic removal of partially migrated intragastric bands following surgical gastroplasty: a prospective case series.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The intragastric migration of a surgically placed adjustable gastric band is believed to occur slowly, over months to years. Band removal procedures necessitate surgical laparotomy, thus increasing the risk of complications.
  
  
  METHODS
  The endoscopic technique for band removal described in this case-series provides a minimally invasive approach.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifteen patients referred for endoscopic removal of a partially migrated intragastric band. The partially migrated intragastric bands were all successfully removed in a mean of 1.1 endoscopic sessions. No patient required subsequent surgical intervention, and there were no immediate or delayed adverse events including no infections, bleeding, or perforations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Endoscopic removal of partially migrated intragastric bands appears feasible, effective, safe, and is a minimally invasive alternative to repeat surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and the Advanced Endoscopy Procedures Unit, Rambam Health Care Campus and Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel, k_iyad@rambam.health.gov.il.
authors.forename: Iyad
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Khamaysi
authors.forename: Alain
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Suissa
authors.forename: Kamal
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yassin
authors.forename: Ahmad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mahajna
authors.forename: Ahmad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Assalia
authors.forename: Bishara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bishara
authors.forename: Ian M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Gralnek
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D020878:Device Removal / Q000379:methods*; D004724:Endoscopy; D005260:Female; D005548:Foreign-Body Migration / Q000601:surgery*; D015391:Gastroplasty / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007813:Laparotomy; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies