Endoscopic Removal of Non-Eroding Gastric Bands Post Silastic Ring Vertical Gastroplasty Using Lumen-Apposing Metal Stents-a Case Series.

Authors

Amir Luchtenstein, Relly Reicher, Shai Meron Eldar, Adam Abu-Abeid, Danit Dyan, Sigal Fishman, Mati Shnell

Published in

Obesity surgery. Aug 17, 2026. Epub Aug 17, 2026.

Abstract

Endoscopic removal of gastric bands after silastic ring vertical gastroplasty (SRVG) has emerged as a viable alternative to surgical revision. Most endoscopic removals require prior spontaneous band erosion into the gastric lumen. For non-eroded bands, self-expanding metal/plastic stents (SEMS/SEPS) have been used to induce erosion but carry risk of migration. We hypothesized that lumen-apposing metal stents (LAMS), with their antimigration flanged design, could safely induce controlled erosion with fewer complications. This study evaluates the feasibility and short-term outcomes of LAMS-assisted band removal.
We retrospectively analyzed 10 patients with non-eroding silastic bands and obstructive symptoms (emesis, dysphagia, or regurgitation) who underwent endoscopic band removal using LAMS. LAMS placement was performed to induce controlled erosion and migration of the band into the gastric lumen. A second endoscopy was scheduled at 1-3 months to remove the stent and band. Clinical success was defined as successful band removal without periprocedural complications.
All 10 patients underwent successful endoscopic band removal without periprocedural complications and were discharged within 24 h. Four patients (40%) required additional endoscopic balloon dilatations for gastric stenosis. Emesis, reported preoperatively in all 10 patients (100%), was resolved in 8 patients (80%) following the procedure. Mean Eckardt symptom score improved from 4.3 ± 1.8 to 1.4 ± 2.2.
LAMS-induced erosion is a feasible and technically successful endoscopic technique for removal of non-eroding gastric bands in SRVG patients, with a favorable short-term complication profile.
• LAMS achieved 100% technical success for non-eroding band removal (n = 10). • No periprocedural complications; all patients discharged within 24 h. • Emesis resolved in 80%; mean Eckardt score improved from 4.3 to 1.4. • LAMS offers a minimally invasive alternative to surgical band revision.

PMID:
42606676
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 18 Aug 2026.

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