[Gastric pouch dilatation: complications after laparoscopic implantation of a silicone gastric band in pathologic obesity].

In 20 patients with morbid obesity a laparoscopic silicon gastric banding was installed using a LAP-BAND. All patients were examined postoperatively with water-soluble oral contrast material according to the usual protocol. 8 weeks after the operation a second control with thickened barium sulfate was added to measure and adjust the width of the silicon band. There were no early postoperative complications. But in the follow-up three patients presented with a pathologic gastric pouch-dilatation. This severe complication, which can have different etiologies, requires early detection and specific therapy.