Sengstaken-Blakemore Tube as a Rescue Treatment for Hemorrhagic Shock Secondary to Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding Erosion.

Gastrointestinal bleeding is an uncommon but potentially life-threatening complication of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) erosion. We present the use of a Sengstaken-Blakemore tube as a treatment device for severe gastrointestinal bleeding secondary to persistent LAGB erosion. A 72-year-old woman post-LAGB placement presented with hemorrhagic shock from gastric band erosion that was not responsive to endoscopic and angiographic interventions. A salvage attempt to tamponade with a Sengstaken-Blakemore tube resulted in successful resuscitation of the patient. When used judiciously, balloon tamponade serves as a replicable technique to control severe gastric band erosion refractory to standard management.

INTRODUCTION

Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) was one of the most commonly performed bariatric procedure worldwide during the decade after its FDA approval in 2002.[1] Erosion of LAGB into the lumen of the stomach affects approximately 2%–3% of patients, according to a large case series.[2-4] We present the novel use of a Sengstaken-Blakemore tube in the endoscopic management of refractory gastrointestinal bleeding secondary to LAGB erosion.

CASE REPORT

A 72-year-old woman with LAGB placement 11 years ago presented with complaints of nausea, dark stools, and shortness of breath. The patient was found to have melena on examination and a hemoglobin level of 5.5 g/dL. Initial esophagogastroduodenoscopy detected LAGB erosion into the stomach lumen with active bleeding from beneath the band. Hemostatic clips were placed, but the patient's hemoglobin continued to downtrend despite transfusion. She progressed to hemorrhagic shock, necessitating vasopressor infusion, and was transferred to our center. On repeat endoscopy, it was noted that at least 50% of the band had eroded into the gastric lumen; copious blood was seen in the stomach and active oozing from mucosa deep to the band (Figure 1). A hybrid surgical and endoscopic procedure was performed to remove the eroded band and identify the bleeding site.

Figure 1.

Initial upper endoscopy revealed (A) at least 50% of the LAGB had eroded into the gastric lumen and (B) copious blood in the stomach with active oozing from mucosa deep to the gastric band. LAGB, laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding.

After removal of the skin port, the band was fractured with the aid of a lithotripter and removed in a manner previously described.[4] At this point, diffuse oozing was noted from within the LABG tract. Attempts at hemostasis with clips and hemostatic powder were unsuccessful, and interventional radiology was consulted. Computed tomography (CT) illustrated active bleeding within the proximal stomach, and the patient was referred for emergent angiography. The angiogram did not reveal active bleeding in the celiac trunk distribution; given the CT findings, the left gastric artery was empirically embolized. Despite this, the bleeding continued. Because the patient was believed to be at high risk for a surgical intervention, a third endoscopy was performed 4 hours after embolization. On endoscopy, there remained active bleeding from the LAGB tract in the cardia, but the exact source could not be visualized (Figure 2). To tamponade the bleeding, a Sengstaken-Blakemore tube was placed, and the gastric balloon was inflated with the tube placed on traction (Figure 3). After Sengstaken-Blakemore tube placement, the patient's hemodynamics improved, and her hemoglobin stabilized. The Sengstaken-Blakemore tube was removed 12 hours later, at which point the bleeding had clinically resolved. The patient was transferred to the surgical ward and experienced no further bleeding, being discharged 4 days later. The patient has been stable, without recurrent bleeding, 4 months after discharge.

Figure 2.

After removal of the LAGB, repeat upper endoscopy demonstrated active bleeding from the LAGB tract in the cardia, but the exact source could not be visualized. LAGB, laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding.

Figure 3.

Radiography demonstrates placement of the Sengstaken-Blakemore tube with a gastric balloon inflated to tamponade bleeding. LAGB, laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding.

DISCUSSION

To our knowledge, this is the first report of the use of a Sengstaken-Blakemore tube to control gastric bleeding from LAGB erosion not responsive to endoscopic and angiographic interventions, thereby allowing the patient to avoid gastrectomy. As this case illustrates, bleeding related to LABG erosion is uncommon but difficult to manage during an adverse event.[5-8]

The pathogenesis of band erosion is likely to pressure necrosis of the stomach wall from band restriction.[3,4,9] The most common presenting symptoms include loss of early satiety resulting in weight regain, infection or pain at the port site, and abdominal discomfort.[4] Risk factors for erosion include oversewing the buckle mechanism, smaller band size, and a perigastric approach rather than the pars flaccida technique.[4] Although often seen on CT scan, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is the most common diagnostic modality to diagnose and potentially treat LAGB erosion. Removal of an eroded band is typically accomplished with a hybrid endoscopic-surgical approach, where the skin port is removed and the connector tube is cut from the skin side. Next, the band is fractured under endoscopic guidance with the aid of a lithotripter and removed preorally using a snare or forceps.[10,11]

Developed in 1950, the Sengstaken-Blakemore tube is an established device to control hemorrhage from esophageal varices through balloon tamponade.[12] Because endoscopic techniques in hemorrhage management have since evolved, balloon tamponade is now considered a temporizing measure or alternative rescue therapy because of its risk of adverse events.[13,14] Beyond hemostasis of variceal hemorrhage, its novel use has been successful in the salvage management of severe ulcerative esophagitis, aortoesophageal fistula, and postpartum hemorrhage.[13,15,16] This is the first case to demonstrate that the Sengstaken-Blakemore tube effectively tamponades suspected short gastric artery bleeding from LAGB erosion refractory to therapeutic endoscopy and angiographic embolization. Balloon tamponade carries a considerable risk of esophageal injury and pressure necrosis of the stomach and esophagus if not used cautiously; thus, it should only be used when all other means of hemostasis are ineffective.

DISCLOSURES

Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to this manuscript. V. Kushnir is the article guarantor.

Financial disclosure: None to report.

Informed consent was obtained for this case report.