Abstract
Background Obesity is an increasing health problem worldwide.
The intragastric balloon as a temporary endoscopic
treatment of obesity can play an important role among the
aforementioned group of obese individuals. It can also be
used as a preoperative test before subjecting patients to
restrictive bariatric surgery. Furthermore, the intragastric
device may be applied to patients affected by severe obesity
as a “bridge treatment” before they undergo major surgery
in order to reduce chances of operation-related risks. To
date, there are insufficient data in the literature on the
long-term results of the intragastric balloon. Methods Our study includes an analysis of our experience
with Heliosphere® BAG from 2006 through to 2010,
concerning early weight loss and weight loss maintenance
over at least 18 months since the device’s removal. The 32
patients who completed the 6-month treatment had recorded
a mean weight loss of 12.66 kg and a mean overweight loss
of 24.37 % (SD, 12.74).
Results A total of 16 patients are subjected to an 18-month
follow-up. Their pretreatment and long-term body mass
index (BMI) were calculated: 6 months later, when devices
were removed, they showed a mean weight of 99.75 kg (SD,
17.90; p<0.001) and a mean weight loss of 13.62 kg and
26.14 % (SD, 12.79). 18 months after removing Heliosphere
® BAG, the 16 patients’ mean BMI was
37.28 kg/m2 (SD, 5.41; p=0.004), with a mean weight
of 103.56 kg (SD 17.25; p=0.0125), and a mean weight
loss of 9.8 kg or 18.2 % (SD, 12.07).
Conclusions Heliosphere® BAG enables modest short-term
weight loss with little side effects, although mid/long-term
follow-up may entail partial weight gain. We believe it can
be considered a useful bridge treatment in bariatric surgery
in order to reduce chances of preoperative risks.
