Sherif Radwan MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Hassan Kassem MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Ayman Hamdy Gaballah MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

To highlight the role of radiographic assessment in patients who underwent laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) for treatment of morbid obesity and to describe the frequency and imaging findings of post-operative complications.

531 individuals(396 woman,153 men; mean age 37 years)were included in our study during the period between April 2000 and April 2005.The inclusion criteria were patients with morbid obesity(BMI>40 kg/m2 or BMI>35 kg/m2 with at least 1 obesity-related comorbidity) who underwent LAGB at our institution.Fluoroscopy was performed post-operatively to confirm band position and to exclude perforation.Six weeks post-operatively,the AGB was filled for the first time to adjust the stoma between the pouch and stomach for optimal weight loss. Further adjustments were performed in intervals of 4 to 6 weeks. Patients were divided into three groups; group I included patients followed up for ≤1 year,group II included patients followed up for 1-2 years and group III included patients followed up more than 2 years.

Port puncture was feasible in all cases and stomal adjustments could be easily repeated. 50% or more loss of excess body weight was achieved in 47.9% in group I,41.8% in group II and 66.8% in group III.Complications related to gastric band were observed in 3.7% of cases;1.1% gastric erosion,1.1% band slippage with gastric strangulation,0.9% esophageal perforation,0.4% diaphragmatic injury by golden finger with subsequent haemopneumothorax,and 0.2% band intolerance occurred in the early post-operative period.Access port or tube-related complications were more frequent and detected in 30 patients(5.6%).Tube leak occurred in 14 cases(2.6%),tube disconnection in 5 patients(0.9%),port discomfort or prominence in 4 patients(0.7%)and port infections were found in 7 patients(1.3%).

Radiographic assessments are crucial in detection of postoperative gastric band complications.Adjustable gastric banding is an effective method in the treatment of morbid obesity with low morbidity and very low mortality.

Radiographic assessments are crucial in management of weight loss and detection of post-operative gastric band complications.

Radwan, S, Kassem, H, Gaballah, A, Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding for Morbid Obesity:Radiographic Assessment and Detection of Complications.  Radiological Society of North America 2007 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 25 - November 30, 2007 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2007/5013701.html