Comparative Analysis of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy with and Without Prior Endoscopic Intragastric Balloon Insertion: Examining Stomach Volumetry, Histopathologic Changes, Hormonal Levels, and Postoperative Outcomes.

Background: The effects of prior intragastric balloon (IGB) placement on stomach volumetry, surgical technique, and outcomes in laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) patients are unclear.

Methods: This prospective cohort study analyzed stomach histology, gastric volume, and hormonal markers in 90 LSG patients (45 with prior IGB, 45 without). We assessed stomach wall thickness, fibrosis, smooth muscle density, and ghrelin-positive cells, along with intraoperative parameters like stapler cartridge use and operative time. Postoperative outcomes, including weight loss and food tolerance (FT), were compared between groups at 6 months and 1 year.

Results: In the 6th month and 1st year, the two groups had no differences in weight, BMI, and %TWL before and after the Inverse Propensity Score-Weighted adjustment. The IGB group had significantly increased muscular thickness, smooth muscle cell count, and fibrosis (p < 0.001) but similar mucosa thickness and inflammation. Preoperative stomach and resected specimen volumes were higher in the IGB group (p < 0.001). Both groups showed slight increases by 1 year, with no significant FT differences. Furthermore, no significant difference in postoperative complications was noted. Hormonal changes were observed, including lower leptin levels in the IGB group throughout.

Conclusion: While prior intragastric balloon (IGB) placement induces significant volumetry changes and hormone levels, it does not affect surgical outcomes-including postoperative complications, weight loss, resolution of associated medical problems, the duration of IGB placement, or the interval between IGB removal and LSG surgery-compared to those without IGB.