What causes lap band 'erosion'

What causes lap band 'erosion'? I have researched it and have some answers but wondered what the board here would say about it?  

 

                                                   

Hello,

We have done a search for you and have found post where other members were discussing the same subject.  We hope this helps your research.  

http://www.obesityhelp.com/search/action,search_oh/?q=lap+ba nd+erosion&cx=000946886326336472648%3Ae-vpeg4uyxw&cof=FORID% 3A9

A high index of suspicion is required for diagnosis of band erosion as most patients are asymptomatic. When symptomatic, complaints related to erosion include loss of restriction, nonspecific epigastric pain, gastrointestinal bleeding, intra-abdominal abscesses or port-site infection. The diagnosis is often made at the time of gastroscopy ( Upper GI)

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3038361/

The most common symptoms other than increased hunger and weight gain are...

• Port site skin infection
• Port site abscess
• A band that needs to be overfilled4

However, it is possible that you won’t experience any symptoms at all other than weight regain.

http://www.bariatric-surgery-source.com/lap-band-erosion.htm l

Conclusion Band erosion is an uncommon complication of the TBVGBP (< 1% in primary TBVGBP). The technique of placing the band, whether it is a primary, secondary or revision operation, and the presence of any infection appear to be contributing factors to BE. BE can be asymptomatic or it can present with symptoms of outlet stenosis or obstruction, weight regain, dyspepsia,  epigastric, pain, anemia, hematemesis or melena. The best diagnostic test is endoscopic evaluation. In some cases, eroded bands extrude spontaneously into the GI tract and are passed out with the stool. Endoscopic band removal is the management option of choice. Band replacement after erosion will likely result in another erosion. Open surgical treatment of BE should be the last resort because of the inherent risks. The findings in this series further confirm the role of the band in weight loss maintenance http://www.bariatric-solutions.com/wDeutsch/service/download s/Band-Erosion%20Article.pdf

Gastric erosion is a well-known complication of the laparoscopic adjustable gastric band (LAGB) procedure for the treatment of morbid obesity. Occurring in .5–11% of cases [1–3], it is uniformly agreed that LAGB erosion requires its removal. http://bariatricsurgerymd.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Lap aroscopic-transgastric-removal-of-eroded-adjustable-band.pdf