Laparoscopic inflatable band with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

Background: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP) leaves a large blind gastric segment, which is inaccessible for conventional endoscopy. Method: A case is reported, describing a variation of laparoscopic RYGBP by partitioning the stomach by an inflatable band rather than by stapling or division. Results: The stomach was partitioned into a proximal 15 cc pouch and a distal part by an adjustable gastric band. A RYGBP was fashioned from the proximal pouch. 9 patients were treated with this technique: 7 as an initial procedure and 2 after previous gastric banding which had been followed by insufficient weight loss. 1 of these latter patients developed erosion of the band through the gastrojejunostomy 7 months postoperatively. Conclusion: Laparoscopic proximal RYGBP with inflatable-band gastric partitioning is feasible. Erosion of the band though the gastrojejunostomy, however, might be a serious side-effect of this technique.