Background: Intragastric migration is a known complication of gastric banding for morbid obesity.
Methods: Instead of immediate reoperation, complete migration of the Swedish Adjustable Gastric Band (SAGB) into the gastric lumen was awaited in 4 patients who were asymptomatic.
Results: After completed migration, the episternally placed access port was removed with the patient under local anesthesia, and the disconnected adjustable band was retrieved endoscopically. All 4 patients underwent rebanding with SAGB within 3 months after extraction.
Conclusions: With this procedure, patients who are asymptomatic can be spared laparotomy and possibly gastrostomy.