Duodenal obstruction after non-endoscopic intragastric balloon placement: a rare but severe complication.

Abstract

We report the case of a mid-30s woman with no prior medical history who presented to the emergency department with intense upper abdominal pain lasting 12 hours. She had undergone the placement of a non-endoscopic, swallowed intragastric balloon the day before. Physical examination revealed significant tenderness in the upper abdomen without signs of peritoneal irritation. Abdominal computed tomography showed a 12-cm balloon lodged in the duodenum with peritoneal effusion but no evidence of free perforation.