[Informed consent in the intragastric balloon supported by SENPE, SEEDO, SEN and SECO: legal aspects].

INTRODUCTION

Intra-gastric balloon (IGB) is an invasive, temporary, non-surgical technique for the treatment of obesity. Its outcomes mainly depend on the patient's collaboration.

OBJECTIVE

The aim was to adapt the informed consent used for bariatric surgery to a method that has especial characteristics.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We used the informed consent proposed by ASAC for bariatric surgery and 8 statements related to IGB included in the WESTLAW ES database.

RESULTS

The review of the statements defines the IGB treatment as a curative-intended and non-satisfactive therapy with an obligation of the means used, but not the outcomes, by the treating physician. Moreover, the obligations of providing a correct and complete information -which includes the dietary regime- should be observed, as well as the possible therapeutic alternatives and finally, the proceeding used should be in written.

CONCLUSIONS

The informed consent is a medico-legal document which content should consider the latest jurisprudence on the minimally invasive techniques for the treatment of obesity.