title: Outcomes of intragastric balloon placements in a private practice setting.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Intragastric balloons are used as a treatment for obesity. Much of the data collected on balloons has been in the context of clinical trials in academic medical centers or as a bridge to bariatric surgery in obesity centers. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of balloon treatment in private practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a retrospective analysis of 6-month weight loss data and balloon-related complications of patients referred to three private centers for obesity treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 815 patients (131 males) were referred for balloon treatment (mean age 36.5 years, mean body weight 111.7 kg, mean body mass index [BMI] 38.1 kg/m(2)). The 6-month weight loss data were available for 672 patients. Mean weight loss was 20.9 kg (7.2 BMI units). A total of 372 patients visited the center only once following balloon placement (i. e. for balloon removal), but these patients still achieved a mean weight loss of 19.4 kg (6.6 BMI units). Successful weight loss (i. e. ≥ 10 %) was achieved in 85.0 %. Severe complications consisted of dehydration requiring hospital admission (n = 2; 0.2 %), and intestinal obstruction caused by balloon deflation, which required surgery (n = 2; 0.2 %). A total of 35 deflated balloons (4.3 %) were passed rectally without any adverse events. Severe esophagitis following balloon placement was diagnosed in 12 patients (1.5 %). A total of 53 patients (6.5 %) requested balloon removal during the first month. Nine balloons (1.1 %) were removed for medical reasons.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the private practice setting, intragastric balloons on their own, without an intensive lifestyle program and supportive consultations, resulted in safe and substantial weight losses, and may fill the therapeutic gap between pharmacotherapy and surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Elisabeth M H
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Mathus-Vliegen
authors.affiliation: General Practice, Wieringerwerf, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Peter R H
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Alders
authors.affiliation: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States.
authors.forename: Ram
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chuttani
authors.affiliation: Gelre Hospital, Apeldoorn, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Joost
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Scherpenisse
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D003681:Dehydration / Q000209:etiology; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal / Q000009:adverse effects; D004868:Equipment Failure; D004941:Esophagitis / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D015905:Gastric Balloon / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000628:therapy*; D011331:Private Practice; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss; D055815:Young Adult