Small Bowel Obstruction Following Dislodgement of an Intragastric Balloon: A Case Report

Obesity remains a significant health burden worldwide, requiring diverse and effective treatment strategies. The intragastric balloon (IGB), developed in the 1980s, offers a non-surgical option for weight management. Despite a decrease in usage, the IGB procedure continues to be an option for patients both domestically and abroad. In this article, we present the case involving a 30-year-old female who presented with severe abdominal complications 18 months after IGB placement in the Dominican Republic, well beyond the recommended six-month period for removal. This case highlights the critical risks associated with delayed IGB removal, including balloon rupture, migration, and symptoms indicative of gastric outlet obstruction. The literature supports increased complication rates with prolonged balloon retention, including risks such as gastric perforation, ulceration, and small bowel obstruction, emphasizing the importance of adhering to removal schedules. Furthermore, the case stresses the need for psychosocial evaluations before weight loss procedures and the necessity of alternative methods like laparoscopic removal when endoscopic extraction is unsuccessful. As obesity management evolves with new treatments like glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogs, ongoing research to understand their interaction with IGBs is crucial. This case underlines the importance of rigorous follow-up care, educating patients about procedural timelines, and conducting comprehensive evaluations to ensure the safety and effectiveness of IGB therapy.