Gastric perforation during second intragastric balloon treatment: a case report

Intragastric balloon (IGB) is a widely used, minimal invasive treatment for obesity. The IGB reduce gastric capacity and enhance feeling of fullness, thereby inducing weight loss. A rare, but severe complication to IGB treatment is gastric perforation. We present a rare case of gastric perforation, occurring shortly after a second IGB treatment. The patient was first treated with an Orbera^® IGB for 12 months, exceeding the recommended treatment period of 6 months. Upon removal, esophagitis and gastritis was found. Therefore, insertion of the second IGB was postponed. After only 9 treatment-free days, a new endoscopy revealed a macroscopical normal gastric mucosa, and the second Orbera^® IGB was inserted. The day after the insertion the patient was admitted to the hospital, due to extensive vomiting and mild epigastric pain. Three days after the insertion a gastric perforation was found. The patient underwent endoscopic removal of the IGB and laparoscopic suture of the perforation. The postoperative course was complicated due to recurrent multiple intra abdominal abscesses, treated with antibiotics, drainage and abscess puncture on several occasions. We suggest that patients should be carefully evaluated before IGB treatments are repeated, especially when gastritis is present. If the gastric mucosa is affected, sufficient time to let it heal is needed. The recommended treatment period should not be exceeded, and perforation should always be suspected as a differential diagnosis when patients present with abdominal symptoms after IGB insertion.