Haemoptysis and left upper quadrant abdominal pain: an unusual presentation of partial thoracic migration of an adjustable gastric band's tube

Laparoscopic gastric banding is considered the safest bariatric procedure, holding satisfactory long-term weight loss results, low rates of early complications and negligible mortality. Long-term follow-up are showing a high prevalence of late complications. We describe the case of a 40-year-old female patient, with a medical history of laparoscopic gastric banding, admitted in the emergency department complaining of haemoptysis, left upper quadrant abdominal pain and a slight tachycardia. After an exhaustive clinical evaluation with laboratorial and radiological assessments, diagnosis of partial thoracic migration of the band9s tube was established. Despite the unusual clinical setting, this case emphasises the necessity of awareness for the potential long-term complications of gastric banding either from primary or secondary care providers.