title: Major Esophageal Dilation After Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding in Symptomatic Patients: Does It Prevent Effective Weight Loss and How Should It be Treated?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Esophageal dilation (ED) has been described as a long-term complication following laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) with an incidence of 0.5-50%. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of major ED on weight loss and find methods to diagnose ED and possible treatment strategies based on a classification.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a retrospective analysis of all patients undergoing LAGB between 2004 and 2008 in three community-based hospitals. ED was classified in four stages of dilation using gastrografin swallow. We report body mass index (BMI), failure rates and reoperations among these patients, with a mean follow-up period of 6.7 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nineteen (18.4%) of 103 patients who underwent LAGB presented with esophageal dilation. Band deflation failed for all nine patients (8.7%) with major ED. The mean BMI at LAGB (BMI 1), revision (BMI 2), and 1 year after conversion (BMI 3) were 45.9±3.2, 42.8±4.9 and 30.3±5.5 kg/m2, respectively. No significant difference was found comparing BMI 1 and BMI 2 (p=0,065, EWL1: 14.2±21.7 kg/m2). In contrast, the weight loss after the revision surgery was significant (p=0.001, EWL2: 67.1±30 kg/m2). No significant difference was found concerning age, gender, ASA, preoperative (LAGB) weight, and mean interval between LAGB and revision comparing patients with major ED (IV) to patients with milder forms (ED I-III).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ED is a serious long-term complication after LAGB and seems to prevent effective weight loss in stage IV. Furthermore, untreated dilation could cause long-term damage to the esophagus. Therefore, we suggest routine radiographic follow-up after LAGB even in asymptomatic patients and a treatment based on a classification with an early surgical revision for major ED.
authors: Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital of the RWTH-Aachen, Pauwelsstr. 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany, fulmer@ukaachen.de.
authors: Tom Florian
authors: TF
authors: Ulmer
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Ambe
authors: H P
authors: HP
authors: Alizai
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Lambertz
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Rheinwald
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Plamper
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Son
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Tuerler
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Gärtner
authors: U
authors: U
authors: Neumann
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D050110:Bariatric Surgery / Q000379:methods*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004108:Dilatation, Pathologic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D004935:Esophageal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D004947:Esophagus / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015391:Gastroplasty / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss