Efficacy of intragastric balloon for the management of obesity: experience from Kuwait.

Introduction: Traditional methods of treating obesity have shown only limited efficacy. Intragastric balloon (BIB) is considered a new potential alternative method in the management of obesity. There is limited information in the literature about the outcome of BIB in the region of the Arabian Gulf. This study examined the efficacy and satisfaction of BIB in obese patients in Al-Amiri Hospital in Kuwait.

Methods: A retrospective review of BIB in patients from October 2009 through December 2012 at Al-Amiri Hospital, Kuwait, included 179 patients. Weight loss, complications, satisfaction level, and weight gain after removal of the balloon were assessed. The weight loss was analyzed further according to different demographic groups.

Results: A total of 179 patients were included in the study. Their data were collected, and the pre-insertion and post-removal body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Before insertion of the BIB, there was a mean weight of 99.7 kg (SD 26.7); after removal, they showed a mean weight of 88.9 kg (SD 25). There was a mean weight loss of 10.9 kg (SD 8). The patients experienced a median excess weight loss of 38.5%. There was no significant variation in the weight loss according to age, gender, and nationality. There was a satisfaction level of 44% among the patients. Weight gain after removal was experienced by 34.7% of patients.

Conclusion: BIB seems to be an effective method of significant weight reduction with little complications, making it a good alternative in the management of obesity in females with lower BMI.