MiniMizer Gastric Ring displacement at 31 weeks of gestation as a life-threatening complication

This case report describes a pregnant woman who underwent a laparoscopic MiniMizer Gastric Ring procedure for clinically severe obesity only one month before conception. At 31 weeks of gestation, the patient as admitted to the hospital with postprandial vomiting and persistent left-sided colicky abdominal pain. Maternal abdominal MRI revealed an intestinal obstruction and elective surgery was recommended. Due to the considerable risk to the fetus, antenatal corticosteroids were immediately administered to promote lung maturation and magnesium sulfate was started for fetal neuroprotection. During an exploratory laparoscopy, significantly enlarged and ischemic intestinal loops were found, leading to the decision to perform an atraumatic "en caul" cesarean delivery. After a successful "en caul" delivery, the MiniMizer ring, which had dislodged downwards and led to mesenteric ischemia, was visualized. Intraoperative esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed a 1cm defect in the stomach wall related to gastric ring, covered with purulent exudate. Further exploration, showed a herniation of the distal alimentary loop through the Petersen foramen. Successful management included ring removal and intestinal loop reduction from the Petersen's space, without evidence of strangulation, as confirmed with indocyanine green (ICG) angiography. The postoperative course was uneventful. Women with obesity who have undergone bariatric surgery should to be informed of the increased likelihood of becoming pregnant after treatment. It is advised to notify the patient of the importance of maintaining a sufficient interval between bariatric surgery and conception. Additionally reports from the literature on various complications during pregnancy after bariatric surgery are presented.