Intra-gastric balloon therapy and weight reduction.

BACKGROUND

Intra-gastric (TBT) can achieve pre-operative weight loss in obese patients, and may make surgery safer and easier. We report our experience in weight reduction and outcome in morbidly obese patients.

METHODS

Data were prospectively collected in 50 consecutive morbidly obese patients undergoing intra-gastric balloon therapy. All balloons were inserted and removed by one consultant operator and injected with 500-600 mls of methylene blue-stained saline. Patients were admitted after balloon insertion to control nausea and reflux symptoms. Analysis was performed on post-insertion data collated from the hospital obesity database and patient note review.

RESULTS

The majority of patients (70%) were female. Prior to IBT, mean patient weight was 149.9 +/- 36.8 kg (male 184.7 +/- 38.1 kg, female 135 +/- 26.5 kg). At six months follow-up, mean weight of patients reduced to 133.5 +/- 34.3kg (male 166.8 +/- 33.3 kg, female 119.3 +/- 25.9 kg). The overall percentage of excess weight loss was 22% (male 17%, female 25%, p=NS). Mean patient body mass index (BMI) at balloon insertion was 52.8 (+/-8.2) kg/m2 (male 56.8, female 51.0), mean patient BMI reduced to 47 (+/-8.1) (males 51.4, females 45.1) at six months. Average BMI loss was 5.8 (male 5.4, female 6.0).

CONCLUSION

IBT is an effective method of weight reduction in morbid obesity with an average excess weight loss of 22% in this series. The benefit of pre-operative weight loss in this patient group is likely to be significant, but has yet to be measured.