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Short- and Long-Term Efficacy of Intragastric Air-Filled Balloon (Heliosphere® BAG) Among Obese Patients

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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.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of General Surgery, University Hospital of Trieste, Strada di Fiume, 447, Trieste, Italy

    M. Giuricin, C. Nagliati, S. Palmisano, A. Balani & N. de Manzini

  2. Department of Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy, University Hospital of Trieste, Strada di Fiume, 447, Trieste, Italy

    C. Simeth, F. Urban & L. Buri

Authors
  1. M. Giuricin
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  2. C. Nagliati
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  3. S. Palmisano
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  4. C. Simeth
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  5. F. Urban
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  6. L. Buri
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  7. A. Balani
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  8. N. de Manzini
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Correspondence to M. Giuricin.

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Giuricin, M., Nagliati, C., Palmisano, S. et al. Short- and Long-Term Efficacy of Intragastric Air-Filled Balloon (Heliosphere® BAG) Among Obese Patients. OBES SURG 22, 1686–1689 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-012-0700-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-012-0700-6

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