USE OF INTRAGASTRIC BALLOON FOR OBESITY TREATMENT: SINGLE-CENTER EXPERIENCE

Aims Obesity is a public health problem associated with high morbidity and mortality. New endoscopic therapies have emerged in recent years, with intragastric balloon (BIG) being the most popular option.

Methods Retrospective analysis of BIG placement in a single center between 2010 and 2018. Demographic, clinical, pre- and post-BIG weight and associated adverse events (AE) were evaluated, comparing super obese patients (BMI ≥50 kg/m2) vs non-super obese (BMI < 50 kg/m2) patients.

Results Included 89 patients, 67 females, with mean age of 45.8 ± 12.5 years.

Super obese patients (n=54) had average weight and BMI scores of 154.3±21.3 kg and 57.7±5.6 kg/m2, respectively. Average weight effects of BIG were: body weight loss (BWL) 19kg, excess weight loss (EWL) 19kg, BMI loss 7.1kg/m2, % of body weight loss (%BWL) 12.4, and % of EWL (%EWL) 22.1. Mean length of stay of BIG was 226.1 ± 65.9 days.

Non-super obese patients (n=35) had average weight and BMI scores of 110.2±21.3kg and 40.2±6.7 kg/m2, respectively. Average weight effects of BIG were: BWL 14.6kg, EWL 14.6kg, BMI loss 5.7kg/m2, %BWL 13.4, %EWL 41.2. Mean length of stay of BIG was 216.1± 52.8days.

AE occurred in 6 super obese patients, mostly vomiting, requiring early BIG removal in 1 patient. In the non super-obese group, AE occurred in 9 cases, requiring early BIG removal in 2 patients.

Conclusions BIG placement is a valid therapeutic option for various degrees of obesity, allowing significant weight loss with few associated adverse effects.