Late Intragastric Erosion of a Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band With Associated Abscess Formation: A Case Report

One of the most prevalent public health issues seen in the United States is obesity. Bariatric surgery, particularly innovations such as laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB), is a manageable and reversible technique employed to attain weight loss for patients who are severely obese. LAGB, like any medical procedure, is associated with serious but rare complications. Some of the short-term complications include pleural empyema, gastric perforation, and diaphragmatic injury. Conversely, some long-term complications include, but are not limited to, gastric band erosion, band slippage, migration of the gastric band into the gastric lumen, and gastric band adhesions. This paper probes into the management of a patient who was found to have gastric band adhesions through the lens of a comprehensive case involving a 52-year-old male presenting with this specific complication nine years post-LAGB. Challenges linked with the diagnosis and management of gastric band adhesions will be methodically highlighted. The patient presented with extensive comorbidities, including his BMI, which instigated the necessity for a multidisciplinary approach regarding treatment and postoperative care. This case allows for a comprehensive level of understanding as it pertains to the complications of LAGB and further accentuates the need for a thorough care strategy in patients who undergo bariatric surgery. The findings in this research concentrate on the need for follow-ups and attentiveness during the postoperative period in an effort to not only improve patient outcomes but also to limit the instances of such complications.