title: [The gastric balloon--a retrospective cohort analysis of 634 patients].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The temporary use of a gastric balloon for the treatment of obesity grade 1 and 2 is increasing worldwide,whereas in grade 3 obesity, it is implanted as a tool for preoperative adjuvant weight loss. The aim of this retrospective cohort analysis is to evaluate the effectiveness of weight reduction and to describe the risk profile of the method.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective cohort analysis of 4 obesity centers where gastric balloons had been regularly implanted since 2001.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Between February 2001 and April 2008, the gastric balloon(BIB Intragastric Balloon System; Allergan Medical,Irvine, CA, USA) was implanted in 634 patients. The gender ratio was 31.5% males to 68.5% females; the average age was 41.5 years. The average initial weight was 126 kg. The initial BMI at implantation of the gastric balloon was 42.5 kg/m2.The implantation of the prosthesis was uncomplicated in all cases. Average weight loss was 20.75 kg or 7.05 BMI points, respectively.
authors.affiliation: Chirurgische Praxis Am Dornbusch, Ambulantes Adipositas-Zentrum, Frankfurt/M., Deutschland. rblanco@web.de
authors.forename: Rafael Blanco
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Engert
authors.forename: Rudolf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Weiner
authors.forename: Sylvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Weiner
authors.forename: Ralf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Matkowitz
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Göttig
authors.forename: Markos
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Daskalakis
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Merkle
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002404:Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D015905:Gastric Balloon; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000628:therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss