INTRA-GASTRIC BALLON IN THE TREATMENT OF MORBID OBESITY

Background: Intragastric balloon is a temporary treatment for weight loss with proven safety and efficacy when associated with lifestyle intervention. It is indicated in the super-obese who are candidates for bariatric surgery to lose weight and to reduce their high surgical risk. Our aim was to retrospectively evaluate the results of the patients in whom this device was inserted during a three-year period from the beginning of this practice in the Hospital de Santa Maria. Methods: Data from the medical records in what concerns bioanthropometric characteristics in the beginning and following balloon removal were reviewed and submitted to descriptive analysis. Results: Fifty-seven patients underwent intragastric balloon placement, of whom 46 female and 11 male, with median age 44,2 +/- 11,77 years. Median body mass index (BMI) 51,6 +/- 9,45 kg/m(2). Five patients were lost to follow-up. The balloon was inserted for a median time of 206 +/- 62,62 days, during which there was a median weight loss of 17,2 +/- 9,46 kg, a reduction of 6,7 +/- 3,73 kg/m(2) in BMI and a mean excessive weight loss of 26,7 +/- 16,99%. There were 5 patients in whom serious complications occurred, one of which died. One half of the patients went on to bariatric surgery. The median time between balloon removal and surgery was 241,6 +/- 243,66 days in which there was a median weight variation of + 3,5 +/- 11,69 kg. The remaining patients: 15 dropped out further treatment, 5 patients are under medical therapy and have no invasive procedure scheduled, 4 patients are to be submitted to another balloon insertion and 2 patients were submitted to the insertion of a second balloon during the time this article refers to. Conclusions: Our findings are similar to some previously described. Intragastric balloon is a temporary and eficacious option in the treatment of morbid obesity. However, it is very important to strictly select the patients and to have a good coordination with the Surgical department so that results can be optimized.