Effectiveness of Intragastric Balloon Treatment for Obese Patients: Retrospective Clinical Trial

Objective: Obesity is a serious and chronic disease with genetic and environmental interference. Several treatment modalities exist such as medical treatment, surgical treatment, endoscopic interventions. Methods: Thirteen patients’ data were evaluated retrospectively at the Erzincan University Medical Faculty Hospital Endoscopy Unit. Intragastric balloons were performed between 2012 January-2013 December. When patients gain the desired weight, approximately 8 to 12 months later; the balloons were removed. Results: The mean duration of gastric balloons in patients was 10.0±1.22 months. It was determined that the mean weight loss within the prescribed time was 25.1±5.5 kg. There is a statistically significant difference among the values when comparing the values before and after gastric balloon (p=0.001) Conclusion: Intragastric balloon replacement is a safe and effective procedure for weight reduction. The intragastric balloon can play a role for the temporary weight reduction of morbidly obese patients in diet supporting, as well as in the preoperative treatment of patient candidates for bariatric surgery or other surgical procedures in order to decrease morbidity and mortality. (JAREM 2013; 3: 97-9)