[The gastric balloon--a retrospective cohort analysis of 634 patients].
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.
Engert
Rafael Blanco
RB
Chirurgische Praxis Am Dornbusch, Ambulantes Adipositas-Zentrum, Frankfurt/M., Deutschland. rblanco@web.de
Weiner
Rudolf
R
Weiner
Sylvia
S
Matkowitz
Ralf
R
Göttig
Stephan
S
Daskalakis
Markos
M
Merkle
Richard
R
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