All strictures are not alike: laparoscopic removal of nonadjustable Silastic bands after banded Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

Endoscopic Removal of Noneroded Nonadjustable Gastric Bands Using Induced Mucosal Erosion With a Stent, and Review of the Literature

Background. Laparoscopic removal of noneroded nonadjustable gastric bands (NAGBs) may lead to major life-threatening complications. A minimally invasive approach involving endoscopic removal by induced mucosal erosion with a stent (IMES) has been used in a few publications to remove NAGBs. Objective. To examine a minimally invasive endoscopic approach to removal of a NAGB. Setting. A large tertiary/quaternary referral hospital. Methods. We report 4 patients that underwent IMES at our institution and present a literature review of published cases. The procedure includes using an endoscopically placed fully covered stent through the NAGB stricture to cause erosion of the mucosa where the stent is putting direct pressure. After a predetermined length of time, the stent is removed with the NAGB and without a laparoscopic or open procedure. Primary endpoint for our cohort was successful removal to the NAGB with IMES. Secondary endpoints included interval of time to retrieval of the stent, complications from IMES, presenting symptoms, and type of NAGB. These endpoints were then compared with previous publications indicating the use of IMES. Results. Three of 4 patients were female with a mean age of 64.5 years. All patients had the NAGB successfully removed with IMES. The mean time for NAGB and stent removal after insertion was 17.5 days. No major complications were noted. Two patients had post-IMES strictures and were managed by balloon dilation. Conclusion. Endoscopic removal of NAGBs is a safe and feasible procedure for NAGB removal and can be used in place of laparoscopic surgery.

Primary banded Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: a systematic review

Primary banding of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass remains controversial. Though there are surgeons who believe it should be the standard practice as it results in superior weight loss and prevents weight regain in the long term, there are others who are concerned about the risk of food intolerance and complications related to band. This review investigates published English language literature systematically to find out the advantages and disadvantages of primary banding of a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

Comparison of weight loss, food consumption and frequency of vomiting among Roux-en-Y gastric bypass patients with or without constriction ring

BACKGROUND

After Roux-en-Y gastric bypass to avoid rapid gastric emptying, dumping syndrome and regained weight due to possible dilation of the gastric pouch, was proposed to place a ring around the gastric pouch.

AIM

To compare weight loss, consumption of macronutrients and the frequency of vomiting among patients who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass with and without the placement of a constriction ring around the pouch.

METHOD

A retrospective study, in which an analysis of medical records was carried out, collecting data of two groups of patients: those who underwent the operation with the placement of a constriction ring (Ring Group) and those who underwent without the placement of a ring (No-Ring Group). The food intake data were analyzed using three 24-hour recalls collected randomly in postoperative nutritional accompaniment. Data on the percentage of excess weight loss and the occurrence of vomiting were collected using the weight corresponding to the most recent report at the time of data collection.

RESULTS

Medical records of 60 patients were analyzed: 30 from the Ring Group (women: 80%) and 30 from the No-Ring Group (women: 87%). The average time since the Ring Group underwent the operation was 88 ± 17.50 months, and for the No-Ring Group 51 ± 15.3 months. The percentage of excess weight loss did not differ between the groups. The consumption of protein (g), protein/kg of weight, %protein and fiber (g) were higher in the No-Ring Group. The consumption of lipids (g) was statistically higher in the Ring Group. The percentage of patients who never reported any occurrence was statistically higher in the No-Ring Group (80%vs.46%). The percentage who frequently reported the occurrence was statistically higher in the Ring Group (25%vs.0%).

CONCLUSION

The placement of a ring seems to have no advantages in weight loss, favoring a lower intake of protein and fiber and a higher incidence of vomiting, factors that have definite influence in the health of the bariatric patient.

Banded gastric bypass - four years follow up in a prospective multicenter analysis

Background

The gastric bypass is the gold standard of bariatric surgery. Nevertheless some patients show insufficient weight loss or weight regain. Dilation of the pouch or the pouch outlet may be the cause. The banded gastric bypass tries to overcome dilation by placing an implant around the pouch or pouch outlet. In this study we describe our results using the GaBP™ ring system in banded gastric bypass operations in 3 bariatric centers.

Methods

183 patients in 3 bariatric reference centers received a banded gastric bypass operation using the GaBP™ ring system. Up to 4 years follow up was evaluated including weight loss and complications.

Results

Mean EWL after 6 Months was 60% with a mean BMI of 30.1 kg/m². After one year mean EWL reached 75.3% with a mean BMI of 27 kg/m² (110 patients). After two and three years the EWL was 78.8% (n = 49) and 79.9% (n = 35). There was a mean EWL of 85% after 4 years. Thirteen patients finished a 4 year follow up period and mean BMI after 4 years was 25.2 kg/m². In the perioperative and early postoperative period there was a low complication rate (4.3%). Stenosis or dysphagia was observed in only one patient. There was only one ring related complication.

Conclusion

Banded gastric bypass using the GaBP™ ring system allows good weight loss with no regain of weight in a four year follow up. The complication rate is low. A randomized controlled trial is currently underway to compare banded and conventional gastric bypass.