[Endoscopic implantation of a gastric balloon--a method of weight reduction with few complications?].

A gastric balloon was endoscopically implanted in seven over-weight (36-58%) patients to achieve weight reduction on an out-patient basis. During the period of observation four patients spontaneously passed the balloon transanally, one after brief intestinal obstruction with abdominal cramps and vomiting, another with the development of ileus, which responded to eight days of conservative treatment. The occurrence of such not insignificant side effects suggests that at present the use of endoscopic implantation of gastric balloons is not a reasonable way of treating obesity.