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Case Reports
. 2018 Sep 26:5:e69.
doi: 10.14309/crj.2018.69. eCollection 2018.

Intragastric Balloon Hyperinsufflation as a Cause of Acute Obstructive Abdomen

Luiz Gustavo de Quadros  1 , Manoel Dos Passos Galvão Neto  1 , Eduardo Grecco  1 , Thiago Ferreira de Souza  2 , Roberto Luiz Kaiser Jr  2 , Josemberg Marins Campos  3 , André Teixeira  4 , Admar Concon Filho  1 , Guilherme Macedo  5 , Marco Silva  5
Affiliations
Case Reports

Intragastric Balloon Hyperinsufflation as a Cause of Acute Obstructive Abdomen

Luiz Gustavo de Quadros et al. ACG Case Rep J. .

Abstract

Recently, the Food and Drug Administration approved the use of the Orbera balloon for obesity treatment. However, the Food and Drug Administration later issued a warning about the possibility of 2 complications not previously reported: acute pancreatitis and balloon hyperinsufflation. This case report is intended to alert all clinicians that, although rare, cases of hyperinsufflation should be considered in patients with an intragastric balloon (IGB) and acute abdomen. IGB removal will resolve the complaints, provided there is no irreversible ischemia of the stomach walls. Care should be taken with respect to an increased risk of pulmonary aspiration at the time of balloon removal, and endotracheal intubation is highly recommended.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Abdominal distention caused by intragastric balloon hyperinsufflation.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Abdominal X-ray showing larger-than-usual size of intragastric balloon, without a clear indication of the air-fluid level.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Endoscopic image showing significant air-fluid level (on the right, liquid of the intragastric balloon placement; on the left, air).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Image after puncture with a suitable needle showing the rupture caused by simply touching the intragastric balloon with the needle.
Figure 5:
Figure 5:
Removal of the intragastric balloon with tweezers as per routine.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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