Intragastric Balloon: A Large Brazilian Multicentric Study Over 10,000 Cases and 20 Years of Experience

Abstract

Introduction: Obesity is a global disease and its management includes pharmacological therapy, non-absorptive surgery and intragastric balloon (IGB). The IGB has been used for more than 20 years in Brazil as an endoscopic method to aid in weight loss. Thus, the objective of this work was to describe the results of this procedure in IGB in Brazil. Methods: This prospective study had a total of 10,255 patients submitted to IGB between 1997 and 2017. Patients with IGB filled with a fluid volume of between 620 and 700 ml, and a minimum initial BMI of 27 kg/m2 were inserted non-study. The maximum follow-up time was nine months. Results: This is a specific motion (31.1 years), mostly women (78%). The mean BMI weight was: 33.42 ± 6.62 kg/m2, mean final BMI: 27.16 ± 8.42 kg/m2, p <0.01. The incidence of complications with IGB was 0.03% (n=3): gastric perforation. A total of 5.2% of the patients followed up for 18 months after a withdrawal of the IGB was submitted to bariatric surgery. Conclusion: IGB is a safe and effective technique for weight loss, with complication rates. With the assistance of a multidisciplinary team, the results were satisfactory.