Clinical Research Progress of the Intragastric Balloon for Weight Loss

The intragastric balloon (IGB), a non-invasive temporary method for obesity, can induce weight loss by placing a soft saline-or air-filled balloon in the stomach to reduce gastric capacity and delay gastric emptying. IGB is an option for individuals with obesity who have failed at weight management with diet and exercise or are unwilling to undergo bariatric surgery. Besides, IGB can also be used as a bridging intervention prior to bariatric surgery. IGB has been proven to be effective in inducing weight loss, with a low incidence of serious complications by clinical practice from foreign countries. However, the long-term follow-up for its effects on weight loss and metabolic improvement of IGB need to be verified in the future. The IGB has not been approved for clinical application in China. In this review, we discuss the indications and contraindications of IGB as well as its effects on weight loss and its complications.