Systematic review of erosion after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding

Introduction Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) is well established as an effective treatment for the disease of obesity, both in terms of weight loss and modification of obesity related co-morbidities [1a??3]. It involves placement of a silicone band around the upper stomach just below the gastro-esophageal junction. Saline can be injected into a reservoir to adjust the band as desired [4]. This process induces early satiety and prolonged satiation after consumption of a small meal [5]. Erosion of the gastric band into the lumen of the stomach was initially described as a complication of LAGB in 1998 [6]. Subsequent reports have varied widely in their descriptions of aetiology, incidence, clinical presentation and management options. We have undertaken a systematic review of all published clinical studies in an attempt to better understand this complication.