BACKGROUND: Gastric banding is a very satisfactory procedure for the treatment of morbid obesity. The significant incidence of skin suppuration in these patients makes the laparoscopic approach a suitable technique. Regardless of this, in some cases, suppuration can still rarely result. METHODS AND RESULTS: In four patients the authors observed diffusion of suppuration in both directions along the catheter which connects the port to the band, necessitating band removal and thus invalidating the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Suppuration of port location is an undesirable complication that must be avoided because it may contaminate the entire device system. This complication must be carefully evaluated for a correct diagnosis and an eventual removal of the band.
BACKGROUND: Gastric banding is a very satisfactory procedure for the treatment of morbid obesity. The significant incidence of skin suppuration in these patients makes the laparoscopic approach a suitable technique. Regardless of this, in some cases, suppuration can still rarely result. METHODS AND RESULTS: In four patients the authors observed diffusion of suppuration in both directions along the catheter which connects the port to the band, necessitating band removal and thus invalidating the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Suppuration of port location is an undesirable complication that must be avoided because it may contaminate the entire device system. This complication must be carefully evaluated for a correct diagnosis and an eventual removal of the band.