Connection tubing causing small bowel obstruction and colonic erosion as a rare complication after laparoscopic gastric banding: a case report

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding is the most frequently performed bariatric procedure for the treatment of morbid obesity and is associated with low morbidity and mortality. Complications related to obesity surgery are rare and their presentation is often non-specific. Thus, it is highly important for physicians who are practising bariatric surgery to be aware of complications described in single-case studies or series when they come across similar complications even years after the primary bariatric operation. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 47-year-old Malay woman who was admitted with symptoms and signs suggesting intestinal obstruction five years after gastric band placement. CONCLUSIONS: In our patient, the band connection wire tube was the cause of both small bowel obstruction and colonic erosion. Computed axial tomography is the cornerstone of the investigation of such patients. After surgical removal of the connecting tube, our patient recovered without sequelae.