Download PDF
Endoscopy 2015; 47(04): 302-307
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1390860
Original article
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Outcomes of intragastric balloon placements in a private practice setting

Elisabeth M. H. Mathus-Vliegen
1   Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
,
Peter R. H. Alders
2   General Practice, Wieringerwerf, The Netherlands
,
Ram Chuttani
3   Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
,
Joost Scherpenisse
4   Gelre Hospital, Apeldoorn, The Netherlands
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

submitted 12 March 2014

accepted after revision 22 September 2014

Publication Date:
05 December 2014 (online)

Also available at
    Permissions and Reprints

See also:

Commentaire du travail de Mathus-Vliegen EMH et al., pp. 302Endoscopy 2015; 47(04): 391-391
DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1547029

Background and study aim: Intragastric balloons are used as a treatment for obesity. Much of the data collected on balloons has been in the context of clinical trials in academic medical centers or as a bridge to bariatric surgery in obesity centers. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of balloon treatment in private practice.

Patients and methods: This was a retrospective analysis of 6-month weight loss data and balloon-related complications of patients referred to three private centers for obesity treatment.

Results: A total of 815 patients (131 males) were referred for balloon treatment (mean age 36.5 years, mean body weight 111.7 kg, mean body mass index [BMI] 38.1 kg/m2). The 6-month weight loss data were available for 672 patients. Mean weight loss was 20.9 kg (7.2 BMI units). A total of 372 patients visited the center only once following balloon placement (i. e. for balloon removal), but these patients still achieved a mean weight loss of 19.4 kg (6.6 BMI units). Successful weight loss (i. e. ≥ 10 %) was achieved in 85.0 %. Severe complications consisted of dehydration requiring hospital admission (n = 2; 0.2 %), and intestinal obstruction caused by balloon deflation, which required surgery (n = 2; 0.2 %). A total of 35 deflated balloons (4.3 %) were passed rectally without any adverse events. Severe esophagitis following balloon placement was diagnosed in 12 patients (1.5 %). A total of 53 patients (6.5 %) requested balloon removal during the first month. Nine balloons (1.1 %) were removed for medical reasons.

Conclusion: In the private practice setting, intragastric balloons on their own, without an intensive lifestyle program and supportive consultations, resulted in safe and substantial weight losses, and may fill the therapeutic gap between pharmacotherapy and surgery.

 

  • References

  • 1 World Health Organization. Obesity: preventing and managing the global epidemic. Report of a WHO Consultation on Obesity, Geneva, 3–5 June 1997. Report No.: WHO/NUT/NCD/98.1. Geneva: WHO; 1998
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 2 National Institutes of Health and National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Clinical guidelines on the identification, evaluation, and treatment of overweight and obesity in adults – the evidence report. Obes Res 1998; 6: 1S-209S
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 3 Isidro L, Cordido F. Approved and off-label use of obesity medications, and potential new pharmacologic treatment options. Pharmaceuticals 2010; 3: 125-145
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 4 de Moura EG, Orso IR, Martins BC et al. Improvement of insulin resistance and reduction of cardiovascular risk among obese patients with type 2 diabetes with the duodenojejunal bypass liner. Obes Surg 2011; 21: 941-947
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 5 Fernandes M, Atallah AN, Soares BG et al. Intragastric balloon for obesity. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2007; 1: CD004931
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 6 Mathus-Vliegen EM. Intragastric balloon treatment for obesity: what does it really offer?. Dig Dis 2008; 26: 40-44
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 7 Dumonceau JM. Evidence-based review of the Bioenterics intragastric balloon for weight loss. Obes Surg 2008; 18: 1611-1617
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 8 Imaz I, Martinez-Cervell C, Garcia-Alvarez EE et al. Safety and effectiveness of the intragastric balloon for obesity. A meta-analysis. Obes Surg 2008; 18: 841-846
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 9 Espinet-Coll E, Nebreda-Duran J, Gomez-Valero J et al. Current endoscopic techniques in the treatment of obesity. Rev Esp Enferm Dig 2012; 104: 72-87
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 10 Machytka E, Klvana P, Kornbluth A et al. Adjustable intragastric balloons: a 12-month pilot trial in endoscopic weight loss management. Obes Surg 2011; 21: 1499-1507
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 11 Martin CK, Bellanger DE, Rau KK et al. Safety of the Ullorex oral intragastric balloon for the treatment of obesity. J Diabetes Sci Technol 2007; 1: 574-581
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 12 Mion F, Ibrahim M, Marjoux S et al. Swallowable Obalon® gastric balloons as an aid for weight loss: a pilot feasibility study. Obes Surg 2013; 23: 730-733
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 13 Busetto L, Segato G, De Luco M et al. Preoperative weight loss by intragastric balloon in super-obese patients treated with laparoscopic gastric banding: a case-control study. Obes Surg 2004; 14: 671-676
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 14 Marino M, Busetto L, Giardiello C et al. BioEnterics intragastric balloon: the Italian experience with 2,515 patients. Obes Surg 2005; 15: 1161-1164
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 15 Melissas J, Mouzas J, Filis D et al. The intragastric balloon – smoothing the path to bariatric surgery. Obes Surg 2006; 16: 897-902
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 16 Loffredo A, Cappuccio M, De Luca M et al. Three years experience with the new intragastric balloon, and a preoperative test for success with restrictive surgery. Obes Surg 2001; 11: 330-333
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 17 Loffredo A, Cappuccio M, De Luca M et al. BIB test and patient selection in the treatment of morbid obesity. Obes Surg 2001; 10: 326-328
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 18 de Goederen-van der Meij S, Pierik RGJM, Oudkerk Pool M et al. Six months of balloon treatment does not predict the success of gastric banding. Obes Surg 2007; 17: 88-94
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 19 Borody TJ. Double blind study of Ballobes intragastric balloon without diet or behaviour medication. Ballobes symposium. Stockholm, Sweden: 04.06.1988 Available from: http://www.cdd.com.au/pdf/publications/All%20Publications/1988-Double%20blind%20study%20of%20Ballobes%20intragastric%20balloon%20without%20diet%20or%20behaviour%20modification.pdf [Accessed: September 2014]
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 20 Mathus-Vliegen EM, Tytgat GN, Veldhuyzen-Offermans EA. Intragastric balloon in the treatment of super-morbid obesity. Double-blind, sham-controlled, crossover evaluation of 500-milliliter balloon. Gastroenterology 1990; 99: 362-369
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 21 Mathus-Vliegen EM, Tytgat GN. Intragastric balloon for treatment-resistant obesity: safety, tolerance, and efficacy of 1-year balloon treatment followed by a 1-year balloon-free follow-up. Gastrointest Endosc 2005; 61: 19-27
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 22 Genco A, Cipriano M, Bacci V et al. BioEnterics Intragastric Balloon (BIB): a short-term, double-blind, randomised, controlled, crossover study on weight reduction in morbidly obese patients. Int J Obes (Lond) 2006; 30: 129-133
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 23 Martinez-Brocca MA, Belda O, Parejo J et al. Intragastric balloon-induced satiety is not mediated by modification in fasting or postprandial plasma ghrelin levels in morbid obesity. Obes Surg 2007; 17: 649-657
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 24 Herve J, Wahlen CH, Schaeken A et al. What becomes of patients one year after the intragastric ballon has been removed?. Obes Surg 2005; 15: 864-870
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 25 Negrin Dastis S, Francois E, Deviere J et al. Intragastric balloon for weight loss: results in 100 individuals followed for at least 2.5 years. Endoscopy 2009; 41: 575-580
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 26 Kotzampassi K, Grosomanidis V, Papakostas P et al. 500 intragastric balloons: what happens 5 years thereafter?. Obes Surg 2012; 22: 896-903
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 27 Ibrahim M, Blero D, Deviere J. Endoscopic options for the treatment of obesity. Gastroenterology 2010; 138: 2228-2232
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 28 Delegge MH. Endoscopic approaches for the treatment of obesity: fact or fiction?. Nutr Clin Pract 2011; 26: 534-538
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar