Abstract

A gastric band adapted for laparoscopic placement around the stomach and a method for deploying the band is described. The band is useful for creating a small pouch with a reinforced stoma in the stomach for the treatment of obesity. A first cannula is introduced into the abdominal cavity. Following gas insufflation, a camera for observing the placement of the band is introduced into the abdominal cavity by means of the first cannula. Two additional second and third cannulas are placed within the abdomen. The gastric band, which has a head end, a tail end and a body portion therebetween, is introduced into the abdomen by means of the second cannula. As the band emerges from the second cannula, an endoscopically-guided snare passed through the third cannula grasps one end of the band and pulls it into an encircling position around the stomach. The tail end of the band is adjustably attached to the head end to form a loop around the stomach. The band is tightened until the stoma has the desired size. The band is then secured against slippage. In a preferred embodiment, the body portion of the band has an inflatable balloon on its stomach-contacting surface. Following implantation, the stoma size in the stomach may be adjusted by removal or injection of fluid into the balloon by means of an injection reservoir.