A recent study published in the American Journal of Roentgenology (AJR) has identified new radiological signs of potentially dangerous slippage of laparoscopically adjustable gastric bands in bariatric patients.

Published in the July 2014 issue, “Gastric Band Slippage: A Case-Controlled Study Comparing New and Old Radiographic Signs of This Important Surgical Complication” indicates that inferior displacement of the superolateral band margin by more than 2.4 cm from the diaphragm or the presence of an air-fluid level above the band on a frontal radiograph could indicate serious complications with the lap band procedure. The signs can be detected on upright frontal scout radiographs, enabling physicians to detect slippage from chest or abdominal radiography rather than a barium swallow test.

“The indication in publications within the past decade that a normal gastric band should project 4 to 5 cm below the diaphragm is confusing and potentially misleading given that the modern pars flaccida surgical technique intentionally places the band at or within 2 cm of the esophagogastric junction,” the researchers wrote.

For more information, visit the American Journal of Roentgenology website.