Surgical techniques vs balloon. Yes? No? Which?

Abstract

Obesity of multicausal etiology is a chronic, progressive, degenerative, relapsing disease that carries multiple comorbidities. Their treatment must be addressed by a multidisciplinary team, capable of offering the different therapeutic alternatives based on their history, body mass index (BMI) and comorbidities. The intragastric balloon was first described in 1980. Depending on the models, it can be placed endoscopically or digestible, filled with liquid or gas, with an implant duration that varies from 4 to 12 months. The mechanism of action is exclusively restrictive; It is indicated for patients with obesity grades I-II, without comorbidities (BMI 30-39 kg/m2). A decrease of 7 to 15% of the total body weight at the time of removing the balloon and slight improvements in comorbidities are reported. According to long-term prospective studies, after one year the effects on weight loss and improvement of comorbidities are only maintained in 25% of patients.

Keywords

• obesidad
• técnicas quirúrgicas