Efficacy of Intragastric Balloon in Obese Egyptian Patients and the Value of Extended Liquid Diet Period in Mounting the Weight Loss

Background: The surgical management of morbid obesity is faced by several challenges. Alternative therapeutic strategies could have an important role in the perioperative risk reduction. The BioEnterics (R) intragastric balloon (BIB) (Inamed Health, Santa Barbara, CA) has been described as being effective in weight reduction and is used as a bridge before bariatric surgery. This study examined the efficacy of BIB in obese Egyptian patients and the value of the extended low caloric liquid diet program in weight loss. Subjects and Methods: A retrospective review of a prospectively maintained bariatric database was conducted. Weight changes and complications data were analyzed. Indications for BIB placement were discussed. Results: Records of 55 patients (11 males and 44 females) were retrieved. The mean initial body mass index (BMI) was 45.3 +/- 11 kg/m(2). The mean of excess body weight percentage was 111.96 +/- 53.2%. Nausea was reported in 30 patients (54.5%). Epigastric discomfort was reported in 23 patients (41.8 %), and vomiting was reported in 27 patients (49.1%). Six patients (10.9%) had an early removal of the balloon, whereas 4 (7.2%) had delayed removal (more than 6 months). The mean excess weight loss percentage (EWL%) was 17.2%. There was significant reduction in patients' BMI from 45.3 to 38.3 kg/m(2) (P < .001). There was no significant correlation between the EWL% and the gender, age, or initial BMI. Two patients had second balloon insertions without complications. There was no significant difference in the EWL% between the 1-week liquid diet group and the extended (4-week) low caloric diet group. Conclusions: The BIB is effective and safe in weight reduction in obese Egyptian patients. The impact of extended liquid dieting period is not significant.