Gastric Balloon Implantation as Part of Morbid Adiposity Therapy Changes the Structure of the Stomach Wall

Performance Characteristics of Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty in Patients with Prior Intragastric Balloon: Results of a Propensity Score Matched Study

INTRODUCTION

The performance characteristics of endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) for weight recurrence after intragastric balloon (IGB) are unknown.

METHODS

This is a retrospective propensity score matched study of ESG after IGB (IGB-to-ESG) vs ESG without prior IGB (ESG-only). The primary outcome was total weight loss (TWL) at 12 months. Secondary outcomes included TWL at 3 and 6 months, 12-month excess weight loss (EWL), procedural characteristics, and safety.

RESULTS

Thirty-nine adults underwent ESG from August 2020 to September 2022 after IGB explantation a median of 24 months (range 2-56 months) prior and a median post-IGB nadir weight increase of 100.0% (range 0 to 3200%). An ESG-only 2:1 age- sex- and BMI- propensity score matched cohort was derived from 649 patients (Pearson's goodness-of-fit: 0.86). TWL for IGB-to-ESG vs. ESG-only was 12.3 ± 13.5% vs. 12.4 ± 3.7% at 3 months (p = 0.97), 10.1 ± 7.1% vs. 15.4 ± 4.6% at 6 months (p < 0.001), and 8.7 ± 7.7% vs. 17.1 ± 5.7% at 12 months (p < 0.001). Twelve-month EWL for IGB-to-ESG vs ESG-only was 27.8 ± 46.9% vs 62.0 ± 21.0% (p < 0.001). There was no difference in mean procedural duration of ESG; however, more sutures were used with IGB-to-ESG vs. ESG-only (7 vs. 6, p < 0.0002). There were no serious adverse events in either cohort.

CONCLUSION

ESG after IGB produces safe, acceptable weight loss but with an attenuated effect compared to ESG alone. Further study is required to understand the factors driving this discrepancy.

Prediction Factors of Early Postoperative Bleeding after Bariatric Surgery

PURPOSE

Identifying the possible predictors of postoperative bleeding is advantageous to reduce healthcare costs and promote patients' recovery. The aim of this study was to determine early postoperative bleeding predictors after bariatric surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective study was conducted using data from 2260 patients who underwent bariatric surgery. We diagnosed early postoperative bleeding by the following symptoms: abdominal pain, hypotension, tachycardia, hematemesis, melena, decreased hemoglobin level, the need for at least two units of packed red blood cells (PRBCs) transfusion, and reoperation within the first 48 h after surgery.

RESULTS

Our results showed the odds of early postoperative bleeding in laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) were higher than in laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) (OR 3.49, 95% CI 1.79 to 6.80). In addition, prior intragastric balloon (IGB) (OR 3.14, 95% CI 1.18 to 8.34) and oral non-aspirin non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (OR 5.91, 95% CI 1.79 to 20.63) were positively associated with the occurrence of postoperative bleeding. In contrast, there was an inverse relationship between staple line oversewing and the odds of postoperative bleeding (OR 0.18, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.81). After stratification data based on the type of the surgery, the positive association between IGB and the odds of bleeding was constant in the LRYGB group. In the LSG group, use of non-aspirin NSAIDs was linked to a higher incidence of postoperative bleeding, while oversewing of the staple line lowered the incidence of this event.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results demonstrated a positive association between type of procedure, history of IGB, and oral non-aspirin NSIADs use, as well as an inverse relationship between staple line oversewing and the odds of bleeding after bariatric surgery.

Intragastric Balloon as Bridging Therapy Prior to Bariatric Surgery for Patients with Severe Obesity (BMI ≥ 50 kg/m2): a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Bariatric surgery for patients with severe obesity (body mass index (BMI) ≥ 50kg/m²) is technically challenging. Intragastric balloon (IGB) has been proposed for weight loss before bariatric surgery to reduce surgical risks but its efficacy remains unclear. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the effectiveness of IGB as bridging therapy and assess potential complications. Amongst 2419 citations, 13 studies were included. IGB resulted in a BMI reduction of 6.60 kg/m² (MD=6.60, 95% CI: 5.06-8.15; I²=72%). The total post-procedural complication rate was 8.13% (95% CI: 4.04-13.17%), with majority being balloon intolerance. Overall, IGB is effective as a bridging therapy with adequate procedural safety profile, but further study is needed to evaluate the risk reduction for bariatric surgery and long-term weight-loss outcomes.