Intragastric Balloon as a cause of acute pancreatitis, a case report

Manuel Aceves Avalos; Eric Ivan Barragán Veloz; Jesús Raúl Pérez Gómez; Arturo Martínez Medrano; Aceves Velázquez Eduardo; Diego Vallejo Thomsen

Volume : VII, Issue : X, October - 2017

Intragastric Balloon as a cause of acute pancreatitis, a case report

Manuel Aceves Avalos, Eric Ivan Barrag N Veloz, Jes S Ra L P Rez G Mez, Arturo Mart Nez Medrano, Aceves Vel Zquez Eduardo, Diego Vallejo Thomsen

Abstract :

Background: The use of endoscopic gastric balloons is an alternative nonsurgical treatment for obesity management, this device is not an innocuous procedure and has some complications. In this paper we report a case in which the intragastric balloon obstructed the duodenum and cause an acute pancreatitis, a few cases of pancreatitis have been reported to date

Case report: A forty–year–old female with history of intragastric balloon placement 2 years before presents with acute epigastric pain, abdominal distention, leukocytosis, elevated amylase and lipase. MRI showed migration of the balloon towards the duodenum and acute pancreatitis. The team decided to push it to the small bowel and perform a laparoscopic removal. The patient was discharged on the sixth day with complete tolerance and remitted pancreatitis.

Conclusion: Intragastric balloon remains a popular choice form management of obesity despite the disappointing long term results. Although the complication rate may be low, it is important to be aware of them and adequately monitor the patient to detect them timely. With a proper diagnostic approach, they can be handled in a minimal invasive way either endoscopically or laparoscopically.