Safety and Effectiveness of Conversion from Adjustable Gastric Band to Ring Augmented Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

Background: Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band (AGB) has shown suboptimal long-term results with a non-success rate of 20–56% with an accompanying removal rate of 10–50% due to suboptimal clinical response or complications. Conversion to RYGB is proven to be a safe and effective option. However, current literature contains no studies which use additional placement of a silicone ring (MiniMizer) around the pouch. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of conversion from AGB to ring augmented RYGB (raRYGB). Methods: All consecutive laparoscopic AGB to raRYGB conversions performed between January 2016 and October 2023 were included. All procedures were performed by a one-stage approach. The primary outcome was percentage total weight loss (%TWL) after 1-year follow-up. Secondary outcomes consisted of %TWL after 2, 3, 4, and 5 years, cumulative %TWL, and early and late complications. Results: We included a total of 240 patients of whom 195 were female (81.3%). Mean pre-conversion BMI was 40.3 kg/m ². The average %TWL 1- and 5-year after the conversion was 25.4% and 18.9%. Cumulative %TWL, calculated from before AGB, was 33.7% after 1 and 30.2% after 5 years. 8 complications occurred within 30 days, 3 of which were ≤ CD3a and 5 ≥ CD3b. A total of 8 MiniMizers were removed. Conclusion: Conversion from laparoscopic AGB to raRYGB is a valid one-stage conversion method with significant weight loss after 1 and durable weight loss up to 5 years of follow-up. The short- and long-term complication rate is acceptable and ring-specific complications are rare.