title: Short- and long-term efficacy of intragastric air-filled balloon (Heliosphere® BAG) among obese patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Obesity is an increasing health problem worldwide. The intragastric balloon as a temporary endoscopic treatment of obesity can play an important role among the aforementioned group of obese individuals. It can also be used as a preoperative test before subjecting patients to restrictive bariatric surgery. Furthermore, the intragastric device may be applied to patients affected by severe obesity as a "bridge treatment" before they undergo major surgery in order to reduce chances of operation-related risks. To date, there are insufficient data in the literature on the long-term results of the intragastric balloon.
  
  
  METHODS
  Our study includes an analysis of our experience with Heliosphere® BAG from 2006 through to 2010, concerning early weight loss and weight loss maintenance over at least 18 months since the device's removal. The 32 patients who completed the 6-month treatment had recorded a mean weight loss of 12.66 kg and a mean overweight loss of 24.37 % (SD, 12.74).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 16 patients are subjected to an 18-month follow-up. Their pretreatment and long-term body mass index (BMI) were calculated: 6 months later, when devices were removed, they showed a mean weight of 99.75 kg (SD, 17.90; p < 0.001) and a mean weight loss of 13.62 kg and 26.14 % (SD, 12.79). 18 months after removing Heliosphere® BAG, the 16 patients' mean BMI was 37.28 kg/m² (SD, 5.41; p = 0.004), with a mean weight of 103.56 kg (SD 17.25; p = 0.0125), and a mean weight loss of 9.8 kg or 18.2 % (SD, 12.07).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Heliosphere® BAG enables modest short-term weight loss with little side effects, although mid/long-term follow-up may entail partial weight gain. We believe it can be considered a useful bridge treatment in bariatric surgery in order to reduce chances of preoperative risks.
authors: Department of General Surgery, University Hospital of Trieste, Strada di Fiume, 447, Trieste, Italy. michelagiuricin@libero.it
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Giuricin
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Nagliati
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Palmisano
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Simeth
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Urban
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Buri
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Balani
authors: N
authors: N
authors: de Manzini
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D020878:Device Removal / Q000379:methods; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015905:Gastric Balloon; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss