Lap Band Article Abstract (#2)

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Meir E, Van Baden M

Adjustable silicone gastric banding and band erosion: personal

experience and hypotheses.

Obes Surg (England), Apr 1999, 9(2) p191-3

BACKGROUND: Adjustable silicone gastric banding (ASGB) has been

advocated as a minimally invasive procedure that is completely

reversible for the surgical treatment of morbid obesity. Band erosion

(BE) is one of the possible complications of ASGB. The authors report

their experience with BE and discuss its possible causes. METHODS:

Between February 1993 and February 1998, the authors performed 122

ASGB: 51 open and 71 laparoscopic procedures. RESULTS: Two cases of

BE occurred (1.6%). CONCLUSION: Band erosion is a possible

complication of ASGB that is often not diagnosed immediately.

Prevention is essential and consists primarily in correct placement

of the band. There appears to be only one solution to BE: removal of

the band. Placement of a new band after removal is possible; the

minimum interval is not known.