[Complications in morbid obesity treatment--pylorus obstruction caused by a deflated intragastric balloon]

Abstract

An aggressive array of new treatments and improvements of existing approaches for addressing morbid obesity were developed during the last two decades in response to the recognition that a new pandemic affects humanity, i.e. obesity. Initially used as a temporizing solution for other specific interventions used for obesity treatment, the endoscopic placement of an intragastric balloons has currently became in certain cases a complete therapeutic solution. Multiple studies emphasize the efficiency of this new therapeutic method, in some cases resulting in a 45 kg weight loss at the end of the monitoring period. The intragastric balloon, after endoscopic placement can be kept into position for an average period of 4-6 months. After this period, balloon extraction is recommended because of the complications that can occur with prolonged intragastric placement. This paper presents a case of pyloric obstruction by an intragastric balloon kept for 14 months. In this case, the initial approach was endoscopic, but the surgical approach offered the definitive therapeutic solution.