Small bowel obstruction secondary to gastric balloon migration: A case report

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Obesity is a worldwide epidemic that carries significant morbidity and mortality. It is considered a major risk factor for many serious diseases. Therefore, different invasive and noninvasive therapeutic modalities are being used to help obese individuals to return to a healthy life. One of the nonsurgical modalities is the use of intragastric balloons (IGB). CASE PRESENTATION: Our patient is a 17-years-old lady, with a body mass index of 48.8, medically and surgically free presented to the emergency with early signs of obstruction. CT abdomen showed small bowel obstruction secondary to IGB migration. Patient was admitted and operated on laparoscopically the same day of presentation. Patient recovered fully and was discharged in a stable condition. CASE DISCUSSION: There are different types of IGB that vary in their composition (material), volume and contents. Some balloons can be excreted via digestive tract, while some need to be removed endoscopically. Complications are very common and vary in severity such as nausea, vomiting or gastric ulceration or perforation. Management options include endoscopic retrieval of balloon, manual passage of balloon through the GI tract or open/laparoscopic surgery. CONCLUSION: The initial approach to the treatment of migrated intragastric balloons causing small-bowel obstruction should be determined by the type of balloon used, location of impaction and degree of obstruction. Prompt and accurate treatment could prevent life-threatening complications.