Total small bowel herniation through the space between the connecting tube of gastric band and abdominal wall: A case report of a surgical emergency.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding is one of the most frequently done procedures for morbid obesity. In most reported cases, the band itself is the cause of complications. There are only a few reports of morbidities caused by the connecting tube. This presentation describes a case of acute abdomen due to small bowel herniation between the connecting tube and the abdominal wall. This case report aims to remind clinicians of possible complications caused by the connecting tube of a gastric band.

CASE PRESENTATION: We report about a 24-year-old male patient, who presented with acute abdomen. He had undergone gastric banding three years ago. According to his clinical presentation, the patient was diagnosed as having acute appendicitis. Abdominal exploration revealed, total small bowel herniation between the connecting tube and the abdominal wall.

DISCUSSION: Although a simple procedure, laparoscopic gastric banding could have serious complications. Some of these complications could present years after the application of the gastric band. There are a few reports about complications caused by the connecting tube of the gastric band.

CONCLUSION: Complications caused by connecting tube should always be in mind, when assessing acute abdomen in patients with laparoscopic gastric band.