Efficacy of the intragastric balloon in the treatment of overweight and obesity: Analysis of its benefits and limitations
Keywords:
Balón intragástrico; Obesidad; Sobrepeso; Terapia mínimamente invasiva; Reducción de peso; Eficacia y seguridad., Balón Intragástrico; Obesidad; Con sobrepeso; Terapia mínimamente invasiva; Reducción de peso; Eficacia y seguridad.Abstract
Introducción: la obesidad constituye una epidemia global, con proyecciones que estiman que afectará al 17,5 % de la población adulta mundial para 2035. El balón intragástrico representa una alternativa terapéutica mínimamente invasiva entre las modificaciones en el estilo de vida y la cirugía bariátrica.
Objetivo: proporcionar una revisión actualizada de la literatura sobre la eficacia del balón intragástrico en el tratamiento del exceso de peso y la obesidad, analizando los mecanismos de acción, la eficacia, la seguridad, los tipos disponibles y perspectivas futuras.
Métodos: revisión sistemática de la literatura científica en las bases de datos PubMed, Scopus y Web of Science, priorizando estudios publicados entre 2020 y 2024. Se incluyeron metaanálisis, revisiones sistemáticas, ensayos clínicos y estudios observacionales sobre balón intragástrico.
Resultados: el balón intragástrico induce una pérdida de peso significativa (10–15 % del peso corporal total, reducción del IMC de 4–6 kg/m²) mediante la restricción gástrica y la saciedad temprana. Los dispositivos tragables eliminan la necesidad de endoscopia. Las complicaciones principales son poco frecuentes (perforación 0,1 %, migración 1,4 %). La gestión multidisciplinar optimiza los resultados a largo plazo.
Conclusiones: el balón intragástrico es una opción terapéutica eficaz y segura para la obesidad de grado I–II, especialmente en pacientes que no son candidatos a cirugía. La evidencia actual respalda su uso como puente terapéutico o tratamiento primario con un apoyo multidisciplinar integral.
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