Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band as a Revision Surgery for Failed Vertical Gastric Sleeve or Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

Background: Bariatric surgery is seen as one of the most successful option for the control of morbid obesity and obesity related complications. Although, there are many surgical options available the laparoscopic vertical sleeve gastrectomy and the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass are among the most selected treatment methods. Even though the sleeve gastrectomy and the gastric bypass has proven to be efficacious in weight reduction in morbid obesity there are still some reported failures. Aim: This study main objective is to see if an adjustable gastric band can be offered as a sensible option for patients who have had a previously failed vertical sleeve gastrectomy or the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. The procedure will be classified as a revision surgery to increase the possibilities of additional weight loss not achieved with the sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass surgery alone. Method: A retrospective review of the charts for all the bariatric patients from April 2012 to April 2017 was conducted. The chart review yielded 12 patients who underwent either adjustable band over a previously failed vertical sleeve procedure or the adjustable band over a previously failed Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedure. The patients were divided into two groups, group A and B. Group A is comprised of the 8 out 12 patients who had a previous failed gastric sleeve procedure. Group B has the remaining 4 patients who had a failed gastric bypass procedure. Observation: Both groups who underwent adjustable gastric band laparoscopically as a revision procedure after a two year follow up appointment showed Group A had a mean estimate weight loss of 30.75 lbs. (11%) with a mean Body Mass Index of 40.7 kg/m2 and Group B had a mean estimate weight loss of 42 lbs. (15%) with a mean Body Mass Index of 36.77 kg/m2. Group A had an Excess Body Weight Loss of 27% at 1 month and 33% at the 2 year follow up and Group B had an Excess Body Weight Loss of 42.2%. Group B had an Excess Body Weight Loss of 15.1 % at 1 month and 42.2% at the 2 year follow up. Conclusion: Group A had an average of 27% Excess Body Weight Loss and Group B had an Excess Body Weight Loss of 15.1% after 1 month on follow up. Our study was limited by the small sample size. We suggest that further investigational studies, with greater and more diverse sample sizes, be conducted to assure the benefit of using the adjustable gastric band as a revision surgery. Based on our results we conclude that the adjustable gastric band as a revision surgery is a promising and sensible alternative treatment option for patients with a previously failed laparoscopic vertical sleeve gastrectomy or a failed Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.