Abstract Introduction The treatment of super obesity, defined as a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 50 Kg/m2, presents several challenges. The best therapeutic strategy is debatable and dependent on each case. The intragastric balloon (IGB) can be used as a "neoadjuvant" therapy before metabolic/bariatric surgery (MBS). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the outcomes and safety profile of the IGB as a first step before MBS for the treatment of super obese patients. Methods Retrospective study of all patients with BMI ≥ 50 Kg/m2 submitted to intragastric balloon placement before MBS between 2009 and 2023. Several variables were analysed including weight loss outcomes, adverse events, and complications of IGB. Therapeutic failure of IGB was defined as %TWL< 5 or early removal of IGB due to adverse events. Results We identified 74 patients with BMI≥ 50 Kg/m2 that were proposed for intragastric balloon placement prior to bariatric surgery, of which 56 (76%) were women, with a mean age of 43,0 ± 11,8 years. The mean initial BMI was 59,4 ± 5.3 Kg/m2. The intragastric balloon remained in the patient for 7,0 ± 1,4 months. The weight loss up to the moment of subsequent bariatric surgery was 22,5 ± 13,2 Kg and the percentage of total weight loss (%TWL) was 14.4 ± 8.4%. The overall rate of complications was 23% (17), the most frequent being nausea and vomiting, of which 50% (8) led to an emergency service visit and 50% (8) to rehospitalization. Regarding serious complications, 3 were identified: 1 gastric perforation and 2 severe respiratory complications, one of which resulted in mortality. Out of the 74 patients, 9 (12%) did not achieve the pre-established %TWL < 5 and 4 (5%) had to remove the intragastric balloon beforehand. Conclusion This study demonstrates that the intragastric balloon is a possible "neoadjuvant" therapeutic strategy in this particularly difficult group of patients, resulting in satisfactory weight loss. However, it has a non-negligible complication rate that should be considered when planning each patient's therapeutic strategy.
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