Erosion of the laparoscopic adjustable gastric band (LAGB) into the lumen of the stomach is a recognised complication of this
procedure. We undertook a systematic literature review of the incidence, clinical features and management of erosions occurring
after LAGB. A systematic search of relevant medical databases for full-text original articles looking for LAGB patients and
reported erosions was conducted. We focussed on incidence, aetiology, clinical presentation, treatment, complications and
weight loss. Twenty-five studies of LAGB reported 231 erosions in 15,775 patients (overall incidence of 1.46%). The mean number
of patients per study was 631 (±486), and the mean follow-up was 3.73 (±2.4) years. In four reports involving less than 100
patients, there were 27 erosions in a total of 270 patients (10%) compared with 180 erosions in 12,978 patients (1.386%) in
the remaining 21 reports. Multiple regression analysis showed that erosion rate was significantly predicted by number of patients
and number of years of surgeon experience (r
2 = 0.186). Treatment was most commonly by removal of the band, repair of the stomach and later, band replacement. Other options
were removal alone or conversion to another procedure. Weight loss was retained after treatment of the erosion with a mean
weight loss at final follow-up of 50.34 ± 3.9 percent excess weight loss. Incidence of erosion after gastric banding is relatively
low and can be related to surgeon experience. The most common treatment described in the literature is removal of the eroded
band with delayed replacement. Replacement of the band is associated with maintenance of weight loss.
Keywords Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding – Surgery – Erosion – Weight loss