Piotr Jurałowicz

Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band (LAGB) Migration – Endoscopic Treatment Modalities

Laparoscopic adjustible gastric binding (LAGB) is one of most common surgical methods of treating obesity. Gastric band migration (erosion) is a typical LAGB complication, with a frequency of about 1-4%. The aim of the study was to present the possibilities of endoscopic diagnosis and treatment of this complication. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study was carried out in the Department of Gastroenterological, Oncological and General Surgery in Łódź. Between 2008 and 2015, 450 gastric bands were implanted using the laparoscopic technique in 318 (71%) women and 132 (29%) men. In this period 7 cases of band migration were diagnosed - 3 cases in men (2.3%) and 4 cases in women (1.3%), what presents 1.56% of general number of complications. Five out of 7 eroded bands were qualified for endoscopic removal. Four out of 5 qualified eroded bands were removed using the gastric band cutting technique. In one case we used the musculo-mucosal incision technique. In order to diagnose early perforations all patients underwent control passage examinations with oral contrast (gastrografin) 3-6 hours after the procedure. RESULTS All 5 out of 5 qualified eroded gastric bands were successfully removed with the endoscopic method, which gives 100% success rate in own material. Two endoscopic methods were used: 1) endoscopic gastric band cutting, 2) endoscopic musculo-mucosal incision. CONCLUSIONS Endoscopy gives a possibility of instant diagnosis of gastric band migration and early minimally invasive treatment. One of our endoscopic methods of removing the bands by making several incisions of the musculo-mucosal plicae has not yet been described in professional medical literature.

Endoscopic treatment of leaks after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy using MEGA esophageal covered stents

BackgroundSleeve gastrectomy has become one of the main bariatric procedures over the last few years. This can be explained by the relative simplicity and high effectiveness of this method. Yet, it causes complications as any other method. Staple line leaks are the most frequent ones. According to different sources, this complication may occur with 0–7% frequency. Until 2013, surgery was the only effective treatment method for this complication. However, reoperations considerably increased treatment cost and patient morbidity. The aim of this study is to present the possibilities of endoscopic treatment of leaks after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.MethodsFrom 2014 to 2016 14, cases of leaks following sleeve gastrectomy were diagnosed in our Department in Łódź. All of them were treated with MEGA stent in order to cover the leak site. Due to severe peritonitis, 3 patients had to undergo surgery prior to implantation of the prosthesis. Another patient underwent an unsuccessful attempt of leak closing via OTSC method prior to implantation of the prosthesis. Patients were nourished from the 3rd day after the surgery. On average, prostheses were removed on the 34th day after the implantation.ResultsThe leak was fully sealed in 13 out of 14 cases. In 10 cases the leak was fully healed. There were 2 cases of patients’ deaths: the result of a multi-organ failure in one case and early esophageal perforation in the other one. The overall success rate was 90.9%.ConclusionSealing leaks occurring after sleeve gastrectomy with MEGA stents represent an effective method and should become the technique of choice.

Arterio-biliary fistulas: What to choose as endovascular treatment?

Objectives Endovascular procedures are the treatment of choice in cases of intrahepatic fistulas. Arterio-biliary fistulas are the rarest and most difficult to treat, due to high risk of infection. Methods Eight cases of persistent hemobilia that developed as a result of arterio-biliary fistulas are presented. Five cases developed as a result of iatrogenic injury, two cases as a result of chronic infection, one case as a consequence of trauma. Results Patients were treated using endovascular embolization or combined endovascular and endoscopic biliary tract revision. The results were monitored after six to seven days and one month after embolization. The embolizations were considered effective in all cases. One patient had four asynchronous fistulas requiring separate treatments sessions. Four patients required a revision of their biliary ducts after embolization and restoration of patency. In one patient, a migration of the coil to biliary ducts occurred. Conclusion Endovascular treatment of arterio-biliary fistulas is safe and effective. The use of embolization with soft and biodegradable materials like histoacrylic glue or thrombin may be the optimal method of treatment in comparison with coils which have a risk of migration or chronic infection.