Osmotic effects upon long term inflation of latex detachable balloons.

In vitro work with detachable latex balloons confirms that long term balloon inflation can be achieved. The short term osmotic effects of hypertonic and nearly isotonic radiographic contrast materials filling the balloons are negligible. Long term osmotic effects may be operative. The discrepancy between in vitro prolonged inflation and in vivo deflation cannot be due to the osmolarity of the balloon contents.