Percutaneous decompression of an intraintestinal balloon--case report.

A study was designed in order to determine whether waterfilled intragastric balloons are superior to airfilled balloons for facilitating weight reduction. In the first volunteer the small intestine was obstructed by the dislocated waterfilled balloon. This complication was successfully treated by transabdominal fine needle puncture of the balloon. In contrast to airfilled balloons waterfilled balloons offer two advantages: water does not escape through the very thin wall of the balloon; the intraabdominal location of a waterfilled balloon is easily checked by sonography.