Adverse Events and Complications with Intragastric Balloons: a Narrative Review (with Video).
Igor Braga RibeiroAna Paula Samy Tanaka KotindaSergio A Sánchez-LunaDiogo Turiani Hourneaux de MouraFabio Catache ManciniThiago Ferreira de SouzaSergio Eiji MatugumaChristiano Makoto SakaiRodrigo Silva de Paula RochaGustavo de Oliveira LuzMarcos Eduardo Lera Dos SantosDalton Marques ChavesTomazo Antonio Prince FranziniEduardo Turiani Hourneaux de MouraEduardo Guimarães Hourneaux de MouraPublished in: Obesity surgery (2021)
Intragastric balloon (IGB) is a minimally invasive and reversible therapy for weight loss with a good efficacy and safety profile. Introduced in the 1980s, IGBs have significantly evolved in the last couple of decades. They mechanically act by decreasing the volume of the stomach and its reservoir capacity, delaying gastric emptying, and increasing satiety leading to a subsequent weight loss. Despite the low rates of complications and mortality associated with IGBs, adverse events and complications still occur and can range from mild to fatal. This review aims to provide an update on the current scientific evidence in regard to complications and adverse effects of the use of the IGB and its treatment. This is the first comprehensive narrative review in the literature dedicated to this subject.