Green urine after intragastric balloon placement for the treatment of morbid obesity.
BACKGROUND
The intragastric balloon is filled with saline and methylene blue dye, to detect balloon deflation early and prevent bowel obstruction, by monitoring the patient's urine for changes in color.


METHODS
An intragastric balloon filled with 590 ml of saline plus 10 ml of methylene blue was endoscopically placed under sedation in a 22-year-old man with morbid obesity (BMI 42 kg/m2). 3 days later, the patient's urine changed to dark green, and, suspecting a leaking balloon, endoscopy was repeated under sedation.


RESULTS
No signs of balloon deflation were seen, and the urine returned to normal color. The next day, the urine turned green again. 7 days later, the urine discoloration finally disappeared.


CONCLUSIONS
Propofol, a sedative commonly used by anesthesiologists during endoscopic procedures, is known to have several side-effects, and urine discoloration is one of them, albeit rare. This benign side-effect must be known to obesity surgeons to avoid pointless medical expenditure, unnecessary balloon removal and distress for patients and clinicians.
Bernante
Paolo
P
Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, 3rd Clinic of General Surgery, University of Padua, Italy. bernante@hotmail.com
Francini
Francesco
F
Zangrandi
Fabio
F
Menegon
Paola
P
Toniato
Antonio
A
Feltracco
Paolo
P
Pelizzo
Maria Rosa
MR
D000328:Adult; D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods; D015905:Gastric Balloon / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007202:Indicators and Reagents / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008751:Methylene Blue / Q000009:adverse effects; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000628:therapy; D015742:Propofol / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014555:Urination Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D014556:Urine / Q000737:chemistry*
D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D008751:Methylene Blue; D015742:Propofol