Management of Gastric Perforations During Laparoscopic Gastric Banding

Background Gastric perforations are one of the intraoperative complications of laparoscopic gastric banding (LAGB). Delayed diagnosis can increase the mortality and morbidity rates. Methods Retrospective analysis of surgery outcome and long-term follow-up of the patients with gastric perforations during primary LAGB and revisional band procedures was performed. Results Twenty-four patients with gastric perforations were identified during 15 years of LAGB surgeries. Half of these had primary LAGB and half had revisional procedures (five emergent and seven elective). Gastric tear was found at surgery in 19 patients; the band was preserved and LAGB was completed in 18 of these. Five patients had delayed diagnosis and underwent re-exploration 24–72 h after surgery. During the surgery, 23 anterior, 8 posterior, 1 esophageal, and 1 small bowel tears were found. Laparoscopic repair was successful in 19 (83 %) cases. The mean surgery time and mean hospital stay were 56.3 min and 7.8 days, respectively. Morbidity and mortality rates were 25 and 4.1 %, respectively. Two patients underwent later band replacement following removal. Band erosion was observed in one patient. At least 17 patients had no complications during mean follow-up of 52.2 months. Conclusions Band preservation is recommended following primary repair of gastric tear. Early intra- and postoperative diagnosis of gastric tear in LAGB is essential for successful management of this iatrogenic injury and decreases occurrence of complications.