Purpose: This study was carried out because intragastric balloon (IGB) is a widely used method to combat obesity, and acute pancreatitis complicating IGB is rare and yet to be understood.
Method: This study was a retrospective analysis of all patients with a history of IGB insertion, who developed acute pancreatitis before balloon removal.
Results: A total of 4 cases were found, with a mean age of 27±2.9 years. The mean duration of IGB insertion was 2.25±1.25 months, with an average body mass index of 37.7±3.4 kg/m. Abdominal computed tomography visualized signs of pancreatitis with the balloon compressing the pancreatic body. Pancreatitis resolved after endoscopic balloon extraction, with an average aspiration of 607.5±64.5 mL of the fluid used to fill the balloon.
Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that acute pancreatitis can complicate IGB and recommends the need to measure amylase and lipase in patients who have a history of IGB insertion and present with a picture suggestive of pancreatitis.