title: Intragastric balloon in obese patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Since March 1998, 143 BioEnterics Intragastric Balloons (BIB) were placed in 132 obese and morbidly obese patients, to study the clinical possibilities of a new system, both from the point of view of the materials used and the application method.
  
  
  METHODS
  36 patients were male and 96 female; mean age was 43 years (21-70); mean weight was 115.4 kg (67-229), and mean BMI was 41.0 (29-81). 8 patients were affected by severe respiratory insufficiency. We placed and removed the balloon endoscopically under conscious sedation or general anesthesia. BIB was removed in the majority of patients 4 months after insertion. The patients were given a balanced diet of 800-1000 kcal/day; follow-up involved a monthly check-up (routine blood tests, weight control) and a visit every 15 days with the dietitian.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean weight loss was 14.4 kg; mean reduction in BMI was 5.2. Weight loss was much better in males. The weight loss produced an improvement of the complications associated with the obesity. Complications observed were: balloon intolerance (9 early removals), 1 balloon deflated and passed, 2 cases of gastric ulcer at balloon removal.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The most correct indications for BIB should be: extremely obese patients (BMI>40) in preparation for a bariatric operation; obese patients with BMI 30-35 with a chronic disease otherwise unresolved; patients with BMI<30 in a multidisciplinary approach.
authors.affiliation: Unità Operativa di Chirurgia Generale, Istituto Clinico Sant'Ambrogio, Milan, Italy. santobre@tin.it
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Doldi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Micheletto
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Di Prisco
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Zappa
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lattuada
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reitano
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D015905:Gastric Balloon; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000628:therapy*