Emergent Sleeve Gastrectomy for Gastric Necrosis Resulting From Lap Band Slippage

Minal Joshi, MD, Krystyna Kabata, PA-C, Srikanth Earhiraju, MD, Michael Baek, MD, Piotr J. Gorecki, MD

Department of Surgery, New York Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn, NY, USA (all authors).

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) has a potential for long-term complications. We report a case of LAGB slippage with extensive gastric necrosis managed with emergent sleeve gastrectomy.

Case Report: A 45-year-old man presented to the emergency department after returning from a distant trip and reported a 3-day history of progressively severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and fever. He had undergone placement of the LAGB 2 years before this presentation, which resulted in subsequent weight loss of 143 lb and resolution of his comorbidities. On admission, the patient was hypotensive, tachycardic, and oliguric, with evident peritonitis. A computed tomography scan revealed extensive intraperitoneal free air and intra-abdominal fluid. After intravenous fluid resuscitation, he underwent emergent exploratory laparoscopy. A slipped band with gastric prolapse and extensive gastric necrosis were found, with multiple perforations involving most of the greater curvature of the stomach. The LAGB was explanted and a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy was performed. A liquid diet was introduced on postoperative day 4. Immediate recovery was prolonged because of acute-onset chronic renal failure and requirement for optimization of nutrition. The patient was discharged home on postoperative day 13 and had a subsequent uneventful recovery.

Conclusion: Gastric prolapse complicated by gastric necrosis is a rare life-threatening complication of LAGB. Once acute LAGB slippage is suspected, urgent attention and treatment are needed to minimize the chance of gastric ischemia. Laparoscopic explanation of LAGB and emergent sleeve gastrectomy may be considered in similar clinical settings to optimize the outcome and minimize the morbidity of near total or total gastrectomy.

Key Words: Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, Morbid obesity, Gastric necrosis, Sleeve gastrectomy, Gastric prolapse, Lap band slip.

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