Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 16, 2026
Laparoscopic Radical Gastrectomy for Remnant Gastric Cancer
Published on: October 31, 2025
[The gastric balloon--a retrospective cohort analysis of 634 patients]
Rafael Blanco Engert1, Rudolf Weiner, Sylvia Weiner
1Chirurgische Praxis Am Dornbusch, Ambulantes Adipositas-Zentrum, Frankfurt/M., Deutschland. rblanco@web.de
Background:
The temporary use of a gastric balloon for the treatment of obesity grade 1 and 2 is increasing worldwide,whereas in grade 3 obesity, it is implanted as a tool for preoperative adjuvant weight loss. The aim of this retrospective cohort analysis is to evaluate the effectiveness of weight reduction and to describe the risk profile of the method.
Methods:
Retrospective cohort analysis of 4 obesity centers where gastric balloons had been regularly implanted since 2001.
Results:
Between February 2001 and April 2008, the gastric balloon(BIB Intragastric Balloon System; Allergan Medical,Irvine, CA, USA) was implanted in 634 patients. The gender ratio was 31.5% males to 68.5% females; the average age was 41.5 years. The average initial weight was 126 kg. The initial BMI at implantation of the gastric balloon was 42.5 kg/m2.The implantation of the prosthesis was uncomplicated in all cases. Average weight loss was 20.75 kg or 7.05 BMI points, respectively.
