Yes or No for Heliosphere Airfilled Gastric Balloon

Objective: Obesity among the most common nutritional disorders is rising worldwide. It lead to many health problems like metabolic disorders, strock and even cancer. We share our experience by using air-filled gastric balloon (heliosphere type). Its safety, tolerability and its efficacy in weight reduction. Methods: This study was conducted on 106 patients at one center (Al-Sadr Teaching Hospital) for the period from June 2014 to June 2015, using air-filled gastric balloon with air inflation of 600-720 ml. The BMI of the patients was (36-58) with the prevalence of 44% male and 56% females. After consent, preballoon investigation tests, balloon was inserted with the aid of conscious sedation at the endoscopy unit. The balloon was filled with 600-720 ml of air. All patients following the procedure were given analgesia and antiemetic for five days and PPIs for six months. Diet and the importance of the exercise were part of the preballoon insertion phase and protocol. The balloon was removed after 6 months. Results: In this study, the 106 patients with BMI (36-58) were subjected for introduction of air-filled gastric balloons over a period of six months and a follow up for them continued for up to two years. Our patients were classified into three categories: Acceptable or good weight reduction with a mean weight reduction of 13.5 kgs, failure of weight reduction and early removal of the balloon due to unacceptable periodic pain and gastric ulcer on follow up endoscopy. Conclusion: Despite the effective weight reduction in selected group of patients, the air filled gastric balloon is a temporary solution for obesity or as a bridge for surgery in sever morbidly obese patients. It has an unacceptable incidence of gastric ulcer.