Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding Surgery for Morbid Obesity: Imaging of Normal Anatomic Features and Postoperative Gastrointestinal Complications

Multimodality imaging of adult gastric emergencies: A pictorial review

Acute gastric emergencies require urgent surgical or nonsurgical intervention because they are associated with high morbidity and mortality. Imaging plays an important role in diagnosis since the clinical symptoms are often nonspecific and radiologist may be the first one to suggest a diagnosis as the imaging findings are often characteristic. The purpose of this article is to provide a comprehensive review of multimodality imaging (plain radiograph, fluoroscopy, and computed tomography) of various life threatening gastric emergencies.

Diagnostic imaging in the diagnosis of acute complications of bariatric surgery

Purpose

The aim of study is to identify the frequency of acute complications and imaging findings at gastro-intestinal transit (GI) and computerised tomography (CT) in a group of obese patients who developed clinical suspicion of acute complications (painful and meteoric abdomen, nausea, vomiting, fever, intestinal blockage) in post bariatric surgery.

Material and methods

We retrospectively review 954 obese patients who underwent bariatric surgery between 2013 and 2019. The study included 72 patients who developed clinical suspicion of acute complications (painful and meteoric abdomen, nausea, vomiting, fever, intestinal blockage) within 6 days of bariatric surgery of sleeve gastrectomy, gastric banding, gastric bypass with Roux loop confirmed by CT, and who underwent a gastrointestinal transit before the CT examination.

Results

GI exam allowed visualisation of 58% of complications. Analysing the data for each surgical technique, 46 post-operative complications were found involve gastric banding. The most frequent was bandage migration (26 cases, 56 %), identified in all cases at GI transit and then confirmed on CT.

Conclusions

The study suggests that CT should be used to clarify all doubtful or clinically discordant GI transit exam results. The participation of a radiologist in qualification and post-operative evaluation is important for bariatric surgery patients.

A review of commonly performed bariatric surgeries: Imaging features and its complications

Obesity is a disease that has achieved the level that can be considered an epidemic. According to the National Center for Health Statistics data, the prevalence of obesity has increased from 30.5% in 1999-2000 to 42.4% in 2017-2018. During the same period, severe obesity has increased from 4.7% to 9.2%. With the growing prevalence of obesity, related conditions such as coronary artery disease, diabetes, and strokes have also become more prevalent. In the past few years, the need for bariatric surgeries such as laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding has increased considerably. With an increasing number of bariatric surgeries, multiple postoperative complications have become common. In this review, we have attempted to describe normal postsurgical anatomical findings after bariatric surgeries and pictorial review of a few common postoperative complications.

Medical Devices of the Abdomen and Pelvis and Their Complications: A Radiologic Atlas

의료기구들이 발달하면서 복부 및 골반 내에 이식되거나 거치되는 의료기구들이 다양해졌다. 흔하게 사용되는 기구들의 영상의학 소견은 영상의학과 의사들에게 매우 익숙하지만, 상대적으로 사용 빈도가 낮거나 새로운 형태의 기구들의 영상의학 소견은 잘 알려져 있지 않다. 또한 환자에 대한 임상정보가 제한적일 경우 이런 새로운 형태의 의료기구들은 잘못 해석되거나 놓치기 쉽다. 그러므로 복부 및 골반 내 의료기구들의 영상의학 소견을 인지하는 것은 기구들의 올바른 위치를 평가하고, 이와 관련된 합병증을 평가하는데 있어 매우 중요하다. 본 논문에서는 다양한 복부 및 골반 내 의료기구들과 이와 관련된 합병증의 영상의학 소견을 소개하고자 한다.

Gastric Banding: Complications Identified by CT

PURPOSE

Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) used to be a common procedure at the turn of the century and is still frequently encountered on CT scans in common clinical practice. Our aim is to present the frequency and spectrum of complication associated with LAGB, as observed in CT.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

After approval of our institutional review board, a retrospective search for LAGB in CT interpretations using the term "band" between December 2011 and April 2017 was conducted. CT scans were reviewed to identify complications. The findings were divided into two groups: symptomatic, in which the complications caused acute symptoms for which CT scans were conducted, and incidental, in which complications were incidentally identified. The frequency of complications was calculated.

RESULTS

We identified 160 patients who underwent LAGB and performed a CT scan. Complications were identified in 69/160 (43.1%) patients, with a total of 83 findings: 47/160 (29.4%) esophageal dilatation, 13/160 (8.2%) pulmonary complications, 6/160 (3.8%) abdominal abscesses, 5/160 (3.1%) small bowel obstructions, 4/160 (2.5%) intragastric band erosions, 4/160 (2.5%) tube disconnections, 3/160 (1.9%) port site and tube course infections, and 1/160 (0.6%) small pouch bezoars. When compared with patients' referral notes, 38/83 (45.8%) of the findings were associated with acute symptoms, whereas 45/83 (54.2%) of the findings were incidental. Eighteen percent of the incidental complications were clinically important.

CONCLUSION

Complications were found in 43% of CT scans of patients who underwent LAGB; less than half of the findings were symptomatic. Some of the incidentally identified complications had substantial clinical importance.

Long-term results of the patients who were applied laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding

Objectives

The most effective treatment step in morbid obesity is surgical treatment. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the long-term follow-up results and success rates in laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding.

Material and Methods

The change in body mass index, percentage of excess weight loss, comorbidities, and resulting complications were investigated in 220 patients who were morbidly obese and applied laparoscopic adjustable gastric band between April 2006 and February 2012, throughout the 6-year follow-up period. Forty-six patients who did not show up for their routine follow-ups were excluded from the study.

Results

In the present study, band removal percentage was 35.63%. The percentage of excess weight loss in patients who were followed up without removal of the band was 46.03%. Complications were observed in 46.5% of the patients. The most frequently observed complication among the major complications was band intolerance, which is also the most common cause of band removal. Band removal was considered as a failure in laparoscopic adjustable gastric band operations, and patients were referred to other surgical methods.

Conclusion

When improved patient compliance and careful and close patient follow-up are provided in the early stages of laparoscopic adjustable gastric band application, it may be possible to reach percentage of excess weight loss results that would be the nearest to those achieved by gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy methods. However, high complication rates and necessity to perform other bariatric surgical procedures in the majority of the patients in the long-term follow-up suggest that the laparoscopic adjustable gastric band operation is not the first choice in bariatric surgery.

Thoracic Imaging After Bariatric Surgery

Obesity and its association with long-term health problems constitutes one of the major challenges in medicine. Though diet regulation and exercise are the primary treatment strategies, surgery is the most reliable long-term solution. Although bariatric surgical complications continue to decline, prompt recognition is essential to optimize patient outcomes. Despite their relative rarity, it is important to recognize thoracic complications, as several of these can result in severe morbidity and mortality. This article describes common bariatric surgical procedures performed, their expected postoperative appearances, and intrathoracic complications.

Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding: efficacy and consequences over a 13-year period

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) is a common bariatric surgery. Although it is a safe and effective method of weight reduction in short term, it may result in some problems in long term. The purpose of this study was to investigate the consequences of LAGB in long term among morbid obese patients.

METHODS

In this prospective study, 80 patients underwent LAGB using pars flaccida technique from 2001 to 2006. Long-term postoperative consequences and complications of these patients were recorded.

RESULTS

The preoperative mean values of weight and body mass index were 125.5 ± 22.5 kg and 44.5 ± 6.5 kg/m(2), respectively. Over the 13-year follow-up period, 56 patients (84.8%) experienced at least one complication. The most common complications were band erosion (20 patients) and weight regains (13 patients). Fifty-one patients (78.5%) required reoperation. The band of 48 patients (72.7%) was removed; of these, twenty patients (30.3%) underwent other bariatric surgeries. Percent of excess weight loss was 47.1% ± 30.1%, and the success rate was 48.7%.

CONCLUSIONS

LAGB is a successful method with low complications in short term; however, over long term, it results in various complications.

Imaging of abdominal and pelvic surgical and postprocedural foreign bodies

Every form of medical and surgical treatment, even the most trivial one, carries with it some chance of complications. This risk is usually small, and the benefit of the treatment should clearly outweigh the risk. Treatment-related complications may occur, however, presenting either soon after the intervention or remote from it. In this review, the focus is on imaging findings of surgical materials used in abdominal surgery, and of a wide array of implanted abdominal devices. The pertinent complications of these devices and of retained surgical objects are highlighted and illustrated.

Imaging of complications of common bariatric surgical procedures

Several techniques for the surgical management of obesity are available to bariatric surgeons. These interventions are performed more frequently with worsening of the obesity epidemic. Radiologists should be familiar with the surgical techniques, normal postoperative appearances, and potential complications for which imaging may be employed to establish a diagnosis to optimize patient care.

Imaging of bariatric surgery: normal anatomy and postoperative complications

Obesity is a disease that has reached epidemic proportions in the United States and around the world. During the past 2 decades, bariatric surgery has become an increasingly popular form of treatment for morbid obesity. The most common bariatric procedures performed include laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, and laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. Fluoroscopic upper gastrointestinal examinations and abdominal computed tomography (CT) are the major imaging tests used to evaluate patients after these various forms of bariatric surgery. The purpose of this article is to present the surgical anatomy and normal imaging findings and postoperative complications for these bariatric procedures at fluoroscopic examinations and CT. Complications after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass include anastomotic leaks and strictures, marginal ulcers, jejunal ischemia, small bowel obstruction, internal hernias, intussusception, and recurrent weight gain. Complications after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding include stomal stenosis, malpositioned bands, pouch dilation, band slippage, perforation, gastric volvulus, intraluminal band erosion, and port- and band-related problems. Finally, complications after sleeve gastrectomy include postoperative leaks and strictures, gastric dilation, and gastroesophageal reflux. The imaging features of these various complications of bariatric surgery are discussed and illustrated.

Gastric bands: what the general radiologist should know

Obesity in the UK is increasing, it is estimated that in England 24% of men and 25% of women are obese.(1,2) In recent years bariatric surgery has become increasingly common and is effective in producing long-term weight loss.(4,5) The most popular form of bariatric surgery in Europe is laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB).(6) Radiologists play a key role assessing the normal function of bands, adjusting their filling under fluoroscopic guidance, and in recognizing and managing complications. This review will describe the general principles of LAGB; how they are assessed, how to recognize the most common complications, an overview of the appearances of the bands used in the UK, and novel developments in their use and design.

Complications of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding: our local experience

Obesity is a major medical problem both within Australia as well as throughout the developed world. Achievement of weight loss for any individual patient brings an additional desirable benefit of improvement or resolution of a wide range of comorbid conditions. Bariatrics is the branch of medicine that deals with the causes, prevention and treatment of obesity and allied diseases. The term bariatrics was created around 1965, from the Greek root baro ('weight' as in barometer), suffix-iatr (relating to medical treatment) and suffix -ic ('pertaining to'). Besides the pharmacotherapy of obesity, it is concerned with obesity surgery. Bariatric surgery refers to surgical procedures of the gastrointestinal tract that are designed to induce weight loss. The treatment of obesity traditionally relied on non-surgical techniques to modify behaviour in regard to diet and exercise. This has variable and limited success. More recently, bariatric surgery has become the most rapidly growing form of treatment for obesity in recent years. In fact, it is the only current therapy that has been shown to achieve major and durable weight loss. It is important for the radiologist to be familiar with the normal anatomical appearance of the more common bariatric operations and to be able to recognise their potential complications on imaging. The aim of this pictorial essay is to give an insight into some of the more common complications of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding surgery encountered in our centre during the period of 2001-2007.

Pre- and postoperative imaging of adolescents undergoing laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding surgery

BACKGROUND

As childhood obesity rates rise, laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) is being investigated as a bariatric surgical option in adolescents.

OBJECTIVE

To examine pre- and postoperative imaging in adolescents undergoing LAGB, describe the most common abnormal preoperative imaging findings, and illustrate the typical appearance and variants on postoperative upper-gastrointestinal (UGI) examinations.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective chart review was performed of all adolescents from 2008 to 2010 undergoing LAGB at a single tertiary-care pediatric hospital. The picture archiving and communication system was queried for all imaging obtained before and after surgery. Postoperative UGI studies were analyzed for common patterns.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven obese adolescents who underwent LAGB were identified. Twenty-five had preoperative imaging, most commonly a UGI study (81.5%). Eight UGI studies were abnormal but did not impact surgery. Preoperative chest and neck radiographs were also common. Intraoperative imaging was rare. Seventy-three postoperative UGI studies were performed on 22 children (range, 2-12 studies). A common postoperative imaging pattern was observed in 19/22 (86%) children. No complications were observed.

CONCLUSION

The most common pre- and postoperative imaging studies in adolescents undergoing LAGB are UGI studies. Pediatric radiologists should be familiar with the imaging of LAGB as this procedure becomes increasingly common.

Small-diameter bands lead to high complication rates in patients after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding

BACKGROUND

While weight loss is the primary goal of bariatric procedures, the impact of quality of life (QoL), comorbidity, and surgery-related complications continue to grow. We report on our results of patients up to 12 years of follow-up undergoing laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB).

METHODS

Preoperative data of 153 patients treated with LAGB were collected retrospectively. Questionnaires were sent to patients to analyze weight loss, complications, and comorbidities. QoL was assessed using the Bariatric Qualit-of-Life (BQL) questionnaire.

RESULTS

Of the patients, 83.7% completed the questionnaire. Median follow-up was 8.7 years. Patients were divided into the following groups: Group A (band still in place), group B (band removed), and group C (revision surgery). A significant increase of excess BMI loss (EBL) was found in group A (p<0.0001): EBL was 36.1%, 42.8%, 41.8%, and 37.1% after 1, 3, 5, and 8 years, respectively. Group B showed a significant weight regain after band removal (p=0.007). One hundred ten reoperations were necessary in 67 patients (52.3%): slippage or pouch dilatation in 25.8%, band migration in 3.9%, band intolerance in 6.2%, and 62 revisions due to port complications. According to BQL, a higher EBL correlated with a significantly better assessment of QoL (p<0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

LAGB resulted in improvement of comorbidities and QoL in banded patients even though not all of them achieved the expected EBL. However, the high complication rate could influence patients' outcome.

[Bariatric surgery and associated complications: radiological imaging]

Obesity is an increasing problem faced by the healthcare system. In managing obesity, bariatric surgery is becoming more important with evidence showing a reduction in long-term morbidity and mortality. There are special challenges faced by the radiology department in providing an imaging service for this population of patients, from technical requirements through to the interpretation of post-surgical images. This article provides an overview of the most frequently performed procedures, normal postoperative imaging findings and the appearance of common complications.

The surgical management of obesity with emphasis on the role of post operative imaging

The role of surgery in the morbidly obese is becoming more prominent. There are a variety of surgical approaches which can be used and radiology plays a crucial role in post operative follow up, particularly in the management of complications. Many general radiologists remain unfamiliar with both the normal and abnormal appearances after bariatric surgery and this pictorial review aims to bridge this gap.

Imaging in bariatric surgery: service set-up, post-operative anatomy and complications

Obesity is an increasingly prevalent and costly problem faced by the healthcare system. The role of bariatric surgery in managing obesity has also increased with evidence showing a reduction in long-term morbidity and mortality. There are unique challenges faced by the radiology department in providing an imaging service for this population of patients, from technical and staffing requirements through to the interpretation of challenging post-surgical images. We describe these challenges and provide an overview of the most frequently performed procedures, normal post-operative imaging findings and the appearance of common complications.

Utility of routine barium studies after adjustments of laparoscopically inserted gastric bands

OBJECTIVE

The purposes of this study were to assess the utility of barium studies after adjustments of laparoscopically inserted gastric bands and to identify a threshold stomal diameter for predicting which bands should be loosened because of excessive tightening.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 246 patients with laparoscopically inserted adjustable gastric bands underwent 668 routine band adjustments and barium studies after each adjustment. Forty-one barium studies of 30 patients with tight bands necessitating readjustment were compared with barium studies of 41 patients acting as controls. Barium studies of nine patients with obstructive symptoms before adjustment were reviewed to correlate stomal diameter with symptoms. The data were analyzed for a threshold stomal diameter below which obstructive symptoms were likely to develop.

RESULTS

Mean stomal diameters were 2.9 mm for the group with tight bands after routine adjustment, 9.5 mm for the control group, and 5.1 mm for the group with obstructive symptoms. Thirty-nine of the 41 studies of tight bands after routine adjustment showed stomal diameters less than 6 mm. Seven of nine patients with obstructive symptoms and none of the 41 control patients had stomal diameters measuring less than 6 mm. Conversely, 40 of 41 control patients and two of nine patients with obstructive symptoms had stomal diameters greater than 6 mm. In none of the 41 cases in which the band was tight after routine adjustment was the stomal diameter greater than 6 mm. Thus, 6 mm was the threshold stomal diameter below which bands should be loosened.

CONCLUSION

A stomal diameter of less than 6 mm after routine adjustment of a laparoscopically inserted gastric band can cause obstructive symptoms, so the band should be loosened in these patients. In contrast, a stomal diameter greater than 7 mm is unlikely to cause obstructive symptoms, so band loosening usually is not required.

European obesity and the radiology department. What can we do to help?

Obesity is a chronic disease that is now a global epidemic. The numbers of obese people are exponentially rising in Europe, and it is projected that in Europe by 2010 there will be 150 million obese people. The obesity-related health crisis does not only affect adults, with one in four European children now overweight. Radiologists, both adult and paediatric, need to be aware of the magnitude of the problem, and obese patients cannot be denied radiologic evaluation due to their size. Missed diagnosis, appointment cancellation and embarrassing situations for patients when they are referred for a radiological examination for which they are not suitable are all issues that can be avoided if careful provision is made to accommodate the needs of the obese patient requiring radiologic evaluation. This paper will discuss the epidemiology of obesity and the role of radiology in the assessment of obesity and disorders of fat metabolism. The limitations obesity poses to current radiological equipment and how the radiologist can optimise imaging in the obese patient will be described. Dose reference levels and dose control are discussed. Examples of how obesity both hinders and helps the radiologist will be illustrated. Techniques and pre-procedural preparation to help the obese patient in the interventional suite are discussed.

Radiological assessment of complications after laparoscopic suprabursal adjustable gastric banding for morbid obesity

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical impact of radiological assessment on delivery of therapy in patients with laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding for morbid obesity who have developed gastroesophageal symptoms or have inadequate excess weight loss.

METHODS

Institutional review board approval and informed consent were obtained from all patients. Suprabursal banding was performed in 373 patients who underwent 869 upper gastrointestinal series. The control group comprised 59 asymptomatic subjects from the study population with satisfactory weight loss at follow-up.

RESULTS

There were no intra-operative deaths or gastric perforations. A small gastric pouch was found above the band in 13 (22.03%) of the 59 control subjects; the upper limit of the gastric pouch volume was 9.85 ml (mathematical formula for a sphere used). The main postoperative complications included: 21 of 373 (5.63%) gastric portions above the band with a mean volume of 137.98 ml and narrowed stoma of 0.99 mm; 15 of 373 (4.02%) gastric portions above the band with a mean volume of 33.27 ml and open stoma of 4.95 mm; and 16 of 373 (4.28%) tubing disconnection and displacement into the peritoneal cavity. Twenty-one of 21 narrowed-stoma and eight of 15 open-stoma gastric portions underwent repeat surgery, upward herniation of the stomach (from below the band) being found in all 29 cases.

CONCLUSION

Our main findings following the use of the suprabursal approach for surgical band positioning suggest that repeat surgery may be worthwhile for all gastric upper portions >10 ml in patients with gastroesophageal symptoms or inadequate excess weight loss.