The Impact of Endoscopy on Intragastric Balloon Placement
Abstract:
Introduction: The intragastric balloon is a temporary, non-surgical device placed in the stomach to aid in weight loss. Endoscopy is essential in the placement of intragastric balloons because it guarantees that the procedure is performed safely and effectively, however there are no studies that support this. Methods: This study was designed as a retrospective analysis of 460 patients who underwent gastric balloon placement for weight management at Centro Medico Noreste from July 2016 to October 2022. They underwent an endoscopy prior to balloon placement to evaluate the existence of any endoscopic findings that would contraindi cate placement. Results: A total of 460 patients were included, 367 (79.78%) were females with an average age of 34.8 +/- 9.2 years. A total of 438 balloons (95.22%) were placed, while the decision was made not to place 22 balloons (4.78%). Among the balloons that were not placed, it is noteworthy that the majority were related to endoscopic findings: peptic acid disease associated with gastric or duodenal ulcers in 9 cases (40.91%), submucosal lesions suggestive of GIST, ampulloma, or malignant lesions in 5 cases (22.73%), Grade C-D esophagitis of Los Angeles classification in 3 cases (13.64%), hiatal hernia > 4 cm in 2 cases (0.09%), and cricopharyngeal stricture preventing endoscope passage in 1 case (4.55%). Conclusion: The endoscopy plays an important role in the placement of intragastric balloons. It helps in identifying contraindications and ensures patient safety by detecting pre-existing conditions.
