Advancing Bariatric Strategies: Different Gastric Balloons in 2454 Patients

Area of Science:

• Bariatric Surgery
• Gastroenterology
• Weight Management

Background:

• Intragastric balloons (IGB) have been utilized for over 40 years as a weight reduction tool for overweight and obese individuals.
• This study evaluates a case series examining different types of IGB and their outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the weight loss efficacy of various intragastric balloon types at 6 and 12 months post-placement.
• To compare outcomes between endoscopic and non-endoscopic IGB placement methods.
• To evaluate the impact of adjuvant therapies, such as hypnotherapy, on IGB outcomes.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective single-center study included 2454 patients who underwent IGB placement between 2002 and 2022.
• Three primary IGB types were used: Orbera®, Orbera 365®, and Allurion®.
• Outcomes measured included weight loss at 6 and 12 months, and analysis of placement approaches and adjuvant therapies.

Main Results:

• Orbera® was used in 52.6% of cases, Orbera 365® in 25.1%, and Allurion® in 20.7%.
• Complications occurred in 0.89% of patients, including hypokalemia, spontaneous deflation, and Mendelson syndrome.
• The average total body weight loss was 12.1% ± 5.2%, with no major intra-procedure adverse events or mortality.

Conclusions:

• Multidisciplinary support, particularly hypnotherapy, and ultrasound-guided placement show promise in improving IGB outcomes.
• These advancements require validation through multicentric studies to confirm their efficacy in reducing premature withdrawals and complications.