A Novel Auxiliary Device for Preventing Band Slippage After Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding: Infra-Band Fixation Using S-Loop

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Band slippage is known to be a troublesome complication of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB), often requiring surgical intervention. To prevent band slippage, a new auxiliary device "S-loop" was developed. METHODS: From July 2010 to January 2014, a total of 814 LAGBs were performed by a single surgeon. The patients were divided into two groups based on the application of S-loop: conventional LAGB group (n = 378) and S-loop group (n = 436). The operative outcomes were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The mean operative time and the length of hospital stay were significantly longer in the conventional LAGB group than in the S-loop group (64.3 minutes versus 57.1 minutes: P < .001 and 5.0 hours versus 3.6 hours: P < .001, respectively). The complications occurred in 7.1% of the conventional LAGB group and 1.6% in the S-loop group (P < .001). Slippage was the most common complication: 13 cases were observed in the conventional LAGB group, whereas no slippage was observed in the S-loop group. CONCLUSION: Infra-band fixation using S-loop is a simple and effective method for preventing band slippage compared with the conventional LAGB.