Intragastric balloon for "non-morbid" obesity: a retrospective evaluation of tolerance and efficacy

One potential indication for intra-gastric balloon is weight reduction for mild to moderate obesity. The authors evaluated retrospectively the tolerance and efficacy of the BioEnterics intragastric balloon (BIB).

From February 1998 to July 2001, an intragastric balloon was placed under endoscopic control in 176 patients (mean BMI 31 kg/m(2)). It was filled with 500 ml saline in the first 142 patients and with 600 ml in the last 34. Removal was proposed between 4 and 6 months after balloon insertion.

Balloon placement was uneventful. 13 patients were lost of follow-up (7.4%). Removal was performed endoscopically in 113 patients (64.2%), with 1 case of tracheal aspiration. Balloon evacuation was spontaneous in 49 cases. 1 BIB was removed at laparoscopic surgery for small bowel obstruction. Side-effects were: vomiting during the first week (90%), occasional vomiting for >3 weeks (18%), hypokalemia (8.5%), functional renal failure (1.1%), abdominal pain (12.5%), gastro-esophageal reflux (11.5%). There were 2 gastric ulcers, 1 sub-occlusion treated endoscopically and the 1 small bowel obstruction treated surgically, occurring after the theoretical date of removal in all cases. Mean excess weight loss was 38 +/- 28.5 % (35.4 +/- 27.3 % for 500-ml balloons and 48.8 +/- 31.0 % for 600-ml balloons (P <0.02)).

The BIB appears to be safe provided that it is removed within the period specified by the manufacturer. Its efficacy to reduce weight in patients with non-morbid obesity may depend in part on the filling volume.