Band erosion and passage, causing small bowel obstruction

A rare complication of adjustable gastric banding is reported. A 65-year-old man developed recurrent vomiting, epigastric pain, and small-bowel obstruction 13 months after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding for morbid obesity. Investigation revealed that the band had migrated completely into the gastric lumen and had passed far down the jejunum. The band was still connected by the tubing to the port chamber. By laparoscopy, the band was cut at the stomach, and removed via a jejunotomy. Postoperative course was uneventful. Complete band migration requires early removal of the band.