Abstract
Abstract
Background
The Angelchik prosthesis is c-shaped silicone ring designed to prevent acid reflux. The device, which is fitted around the gastroesophageal junction, was popular in 1980s and over 25,000 devices were placed in patients worldwide. However, follow-up showed a high frequency of undesirable results, including device migration and esophageal erosion. The use of this device was therefore abandoned in the early 1990s.
Methods
A 70-year-old man with a body mass index of 36 kg/m2 presented to us with persistent dysphagia and progressively increasing heartburn. He had undergone placement of an Angelchik prosthesis 37 years earlier. He said that he had experienced dysphagia since it was implanted, but had accepted it. His past medical history included hypertension, hyperlipidemia, sleep apnea, atrial fibrillation, cerebrovascular accident, and benign prostatic hypertrophy. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, contrast esophagram, and high-resolution manometry showed a slipped Angelchik device on the stomach with moderately impaired esophageal body motility.
Results
The patient underwent laparoscopic removal of the Angelchik prosthesis, followed by a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass for antireflux. After laparoscopic access, adhesions from previous laparotomy were taken down and standard laparoscopic foregut surgery ports were placed. A fibrous calcified capsule encircling the Angelchik prosthesis was noted around the proximal stomach. The anterior wall of the capsule was peeled off using a Harmonic scalpel, and the Angelchik prosthesis was removed in one piece. Given the patient's esophageal dysmotility and scarring around the fundus, we proceeded with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. The alimentary and biliary limbs were tailored to 80 cm and 30 cm in length, respectively. Using linear staplers, the gastric pouch was created by dividing the proximal stomach just below the level of the scarred tissue created by the Angelchik device. The distal stomach was left in situ. The operation lasted 160 minutes, and the intraoperative blood loss was 150 mL. Barium swallow on postoperative day 1 showed no leakage, and a liquid diet was initiated. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 2. The patient now reports resolved dysphagia and reflux.
Conclusion
Laparoscopic removal of the Angelchik prosthesis and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass was performed safely with good outcomes.
Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.