Delayed gastric emptying as a proposed mechanism of action during intragastric balloon therapy: Results of a prospective study

Objective: The effects of intragastric balloon (IGB) therapy on gastric emptying (GE) and weight loss remain to be fully understood. The effects of IGB on GE were investigated in this study. Methods: This was a single-center, randomized, controlled study in which subjects with obesity either underwent IGB placement or were matched controls. IGB was removed at 6 months. GE was measured at baseline and at weeks 0, 8, 16, 27, and 39. Percent total body weight loss (%TBWL) was measured at 6 and 12 months. Results: Twenty-nine subjects with obesity were enrolled; 15 were randomized to IGB placement and 14 to control. Two subjects had the IGB removed early. At baseline, 1- and 2-h gastric retention values were comparable between the groups but increased in the IGB group at weeks 8 and 16 (during IGB treatment) and then returned to baseline levels at 27 and 39 weeks. A greater increase in gastric retention from baseline to 8 weeks was associated with higher %TBWL. Conclusions: GE in subjects with IGB is delayed but returns to normal after IGB removal. Greater changes in increased gastric retention were associated with greater %TBWL. Altering gastric motility is a significant mechanism of action by which the IGB results in weight loss.