Spontaneous Intragastric Balloon Hyperinflation: Two Cases and Outcomes.

Endoscopic bariatric therapies can provide treatment options for obesity in non-surgical candidates, as a part of combination or serial treatment plans, and for the reduction of obesity-related comorbidities. Several complications of intragastric balloons have been documented, but spontaneous hyperinflation is a risk that has not been well reported previously. We describe two cases of spontaneous intragastric balloon hyperinflation and their outcomes.

American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy-European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy guideline on primary endoscopic bariatric and metabolic therapies for adults with obesity.

This joint ASGE-ESGE guideline provides an evidence-based summary and recommendations regarding the role of endoscopic bariatric and metabolic therapies (EBMTs) in the management of obesity. The document was developed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) framework. It evaluates the efficacy and safety of EBMT devices and procedures that currently have CE mark or FDA-clearance/approval, or that had been approved within five years of document development. The guideline suggests the use of EBMTs plus lifestyle modification in patients with a BMI of ≥30 kg/m2, or with a BMI of 27.0-29.9 kg/m2 with at least 1 obesity-related comorbidity. Furthermore, it suggests the utilization of intragastric balloons and devices for endoscopic gastric remodeling (EGR) in conjunction with lifestyle modification for this patient population.

Meta-analysis: Impact of intragastric balloon therapy on NAFLD-related parameters in patients with obesity.

BACKGROUND: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a leading cause of chronic liver disease affecting approximately 25% of adults in the western world. Intragastric balloon (IGB) is an endoscopic bariatric therapy -a therapeutic endoscopic tool that has shown promise in inducing weight loss. Its role in the treatment of NAFLD is yet to be established. AIM: To evaluate the effect of IGB as a treatment option in NAFLD. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE (PubMed) and EMBASE from inception to September 2022. We included studies evaluating the impact of IGB on obesity with the assessment of one or more liver-related outcomes and studies primarily evaluating the impact of IGB on NAFLD. We included comparative and non-comparative studies; primary outcomes were liver-related NAFLD surrogates. RESULTS: We included 19 studies with 911 patients. IGB demonstrated an effect on NAFLD parameters including NAFLD activity score (NAS): mean difference (MD): -3.0 [95% CI: -2.41 to -3.59], ALT: MD: -10.40 U/L [95% CI: -7.31 to -13.49], liver volume: MD -397.9 [95% CI: -212.78 to 1008.58] and liver steatosis: MD: -37.76 dB/m [95% CI: -21.59 to -53.92]. There were significant reductions in non-liver-related outcomes of body weight, BMI, glycated haemoglobin and HOMA-IR. CONCLUSION: Intragastric balloons may play an important role in addressing the treatment gap in NAFLD management.

Intragastric balloons in high-risk obese patients in a Brazilian center: initial experience / Balões intragástricos em obesos de alto risco em um centro brasileiro: experiência inicial

ABSTRACT Objective: to assess the short-term efficacy, tolerance and complications in high-risk morbidly obese patients treated with an intragastric balloon as a bridge for surgery. Methods: we conducted a post-hoc analysis study in a Brazilian teaching hospital from 2010 to 2014, with 23 adult patients with a BMI of 48kg/m2, who received a single intragastric air or liquid balloon. We defined efficacy as 10% excess weight loss, and complications, as adverse events consequent to the intragastric balloon diagnosed after the initial accommodative period. We expressed the anthropometric results as means ± standard deviation, comparing the groups with paired T / Student's T tests, when appropriate, with p<0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: the balloons were effective in 91.3% of the patients, remained in situ for an average of 5.5 months and most of them (65.2%) were air-filled, with a mean excess weight loss of 23.7kg±9.7 (excess weight loss 21.7%±8.9) and mean BMI reduction of 8.3kg/m2±3.3. Complications (17.3%) included abdominal discomfort, balloon deflation and late intolerance, without severe cases. Most of the participants (82.7%) did not experience adverse effects. We removed the intragastric balloons in time, without intercurrences, and 52.2% of these patients underwent bariatric surgery within one month. Conclusion: in our center, intragastric balloons can be successfully used as an initial weight loss procedure, with good tolerance and acceptable complications rates.

RESUMO Objetivo: identificar a eficácia em curto prazo, a tolerância e as complicações em obesos mórbidos de alto risco, tratados com balão intragástrico como ponte para cirurgia. Métodos: estudo de análise post-hoc em um hospital acadêmico brasileiro durante o período de 2010 a 2014, de 23 pacientes adultos com IMC de 48kg/m2 que receberam um único balão intragástrico de ar ou líquido. Eficácia foi definida como perda de excesso de peso de 10%, e complicações como eventos adversos consequentes ao balão intragástrico diagnosticados após o período acomodativo inicial. Expressaram-se os resultados antropométricos com média ± desvio padrão, comparando os grupos com testes T Pareado / T de Student, quando apropriado, com p<0,05 considerado estatisticamente significante. Resultados: os balões foram efetivos em 91,3% dos pacientes, permaneceram in situ por em média 5,5 meses e a maioria deles (65,2%) era de ar, com perda média de excesso peso de 23,7kg±9,7 (perda de excesso de peso de 21,7%±8,9) e redução média de IMC de 8,3kg/m2±3,3. As complicações (17,3%) compreenderam desconforto abdominal, deflação do balão e intolerância tardia, sem casos graves. A maioria dos participantes (82,7%) não experimentou efeitos adversos, seus balões intragástricos foram extraídos em tempo, sem intercorrências e 52,2% desses pacientes submeteram-se à cirurgia bariátrica no intervalo de um mês. Conclusão: no nosso centro, balões intragástricos podem ser usados com sucesso como procedimento inicial de perda ponderal, com boa tolerância e taxas aceitáveis de complicações.

Lesiones gástricas premalignas en familiares en primer grado de pacientes con cáncer gástrico evaluados en la consulta de gastroenterología de dos hospitales universitarios de Caracas / Premalignant gastric lesions in first-degree relatives of gastric cancer patients evaluated in the gastroenterology at two university hospitals in Caracas

Las alteraciones morfológicas de la mucosa gástrica que predisponen al desarrollo de cáncer gástrico son atrofia, metaplasia y displasia. Diversos factores etiológicos han sido estudiados, destacándose el parentesco en primer grado con una probabilidad de presentar cáncer gástrico 2 veces más que la población general. Diagnosticar lesiones gástricas premalignas en familiares de pacientes con cáncer gástrico, evaluados en las consultas de Gastroenterología del Hospital Vargas de Caracas y Hospital Militar "Dr. Carlos Arvelo". Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, prospectivo, longitudinal, desde Octubre 2008 a Mayo 2009. Se incluyeron 75 individuos con edades comprendidas entre 18 y 80 años, familiares en primer grado de pacientes con cáncer gástrico, a los cuales se les practicó endoscopia digestiva superior con toma de biopsia. En 51 pacientes femeninos (68%) y 24 (32%) masculinos, se encontraron los siguientes hallazgos endoscópicos: endoscopia normal 52%, gastropatía crónica 33%, úlcera gástrica 5,33%, pólipos gástricos 3,33% y úlcera duodenal 1,33%. El estudio histológico determinó que la atrofia estuvo presente en 25 pacientes (33,3%), metaplasia intestinal en 17 pacientes (22,67%), displasia en 4 pacientes (5,33%), la mitad de ellas de alto grado y 1 (1,33%) indefinido para displasia. Conclusión y recomendación: En el grupo estudiado se encontró un 42,6% de lesiones gástricas premalignas, de las cuales el 5,33% correspondió a displasia, ninguno de estos con lesiones endoscópicas de malignidad; lo que nos hace recomendar de rutina en todos los servicios de gastroenterología del país un programa de pesquisa en familiares en primer grado de pacientes de cáncer gástrico...

Morphological alterations of the gastric mucosa that predispose to the development of gastric cancer are atrophy, metaplasia and dysplasia. Various etiologic factors have been studied, especially in first degree relatives,with a probability of gastric cancer double than that of the general population. To diagnose premalignant gastric lesions in relatives of patients with gastric cancer evaluated in the Gastroenterology consultation of "Hospital Vargas de Caracas", and "Hospital Militar Dr. Carlos Arvelo". A descriptive, prospective, longitudinal study was made, from October 2008 to May 2009. We included 75 individuals aged 18 to 80 years in first degree relatives of patients with gastric cancer, who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with biopsy guided. We found 51 (68%) female and 24 (32%) male, with these endoscopic findings: normal in 52% of the patients, with chronic gastropathy 37, 33%, gastric ulcer in 5,3%, gastric polyps in 3,33% and duodenal ulcer in 1,33%. The histological study found that atrophy was present in 25 (33.3%) patients, intestinal metaplasia in 17 (22, 67%) and dysplasia in 4(5, 33%) and 1(1,33%) indefinite to dysplasia. In this group of patients it was found a 42.6% of premalignant gastric lesions, of which 5.33% corresponded to dysplasia. Neither one had endoscopic malignant lesions. We recommend as a routine in all Gastroenterology Divisions in the country a program of screening in first degree families of patients of gastric cancer...

Esteatoepatite não alcoólica induzida por rápida perda de peso em uso de balão intragástrico: um relato de caso / Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis induced by fast weight loss during the use of intragastric balloon: a case report

A obesidade é uma doença crônica, atualmente considerada uma epidemia global. Está associada a várias co-morbidades clínicas, entre elas a doença esteatótica hepática não alcoólica (DEHNA), e sua complicação, a esteatoepatite não alcoólica (EHNA). Apresentamos um caso de uma paciente de 58 anos com obesidade refratária ao tratamento clínico, submetida à colocação do balão intragástrico (BIG), que evoluiu com um quadro de esteatoepatite não alcoólica, associada a rápida perda de peso.

Obesity is a chronic disease that has been considered an epidemic nowadays. It is associated to much co-morbidity, such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its complication, steatohepatitis. We report a case of a 58-year-old obese patient refractory to clinical treatment who was submitted to the use of intragastric balloon (BIB), developing steatohepatitis induced by fast weight loss.

Cirugía bariátrica con banda gástrica ajustable / Bariatric surgery with adjustable gastric banding

Antecedentes: La obesidad es una enfermedad crónica, progresiva, multifactorial creciendo en proporciones epidémicas. La masiva, presenta elevados costos en la salud pública, y vinculada a enfermedades crónicas asociadas, llevan a prematura incapacidad y mortalidad. Objetivos: Analizar la experiencia de los primeros 100 pacientes obesos mórbidos (OM) y superobesos (SO) operados laparocópicamente con banda gástrica ajustable (BGAL). Lugar: Hospital Universitario y Práctica Privada. Material y métodos: Desde enero 1998 hasta abril 2000 se operaron 100 pacientes OM y SO. El 74 por ciento mujeres, 43 años promedio (16-60), 143 kg de peso promedio (93-280). 81,6 kg (34-208) de exceso, 233,5 por ciento del peso ideal e indice de masa (IMC) promedio 53,2 (35-89,3). El 55 por ciento IMC = a 50 (superobesos, supersuperobesos y triple obesidad) y el 13 por ciento = a 66 (triple obesidad). La técnica original con inicio del túnel sobre la curvatura menor a 2 cm del cardias y "gastrostenometer" (sensor electrónico) en los primeros 30 pacientes se modificó luego, permitiendo ahorrar tiempo quirúrgico, evitar complicaciones, obtener posición de la banda más alta y estable creando una bolsa superior de tamaño muy pequeño (15-20 cc). Resultados: Tiempo operatorio: 80 min (40-120) en los últimos 90 pacientes. Fueron convertidos 4 entre los primeros 20 casos. No huvo mortalidad y las complicaciones importantes fueron tardías, 2 deslizamientos gástricos ("slippage") y 2 infecciones del reservorio (portacath). Seguimiento: 10 meses promedio (1-27), obteniéndose disminución del porcentaje del exceso de peso y del IMC (pre 53,2) a los 3 meses de 26 por ciento y 47, a los 6 de 43 por ciento y 41, a los 12 de 61 por ciento y 37, y a los 24 de 68 por ciento y 32. No hubo diferencias en porcentaje del peso perdido entre obesos mórbidos y superobesos. Enfermedades asociadas: descenso en número y severidad, del 33 por ciento en hipertensión arterial, 89 por ciento en síndrome de hipoventilación alveolar, 82,5 por ciento en diabetes y 86 por ciento en reflujo gastroesofágico, con mejoría global e importante en la calidad de vida. Conclusiones: Los resultados parecen promisorios, pero es necesario un seguimiento prolongado para establecer resultados fidedignos. La BGAL es un procedimiento laparoscópico de avanzada y los buenos resultados requieren una técnica segura y estandarizada