| The intragastric balloon, filled with liquid and left in the stomach for up to six months, is not approved for use in the United States, though it's available in Europe, South America and other parts of the world. |
| We report a patient who presented with an acute abdomen 7 months after the insertion of an intragastric balloon and discuss the current literature. |
| The combination of potential risks and little benefit is the main reason there is no intragastric balloon on the market in the United States. |
| More data on benefits, harm, and costeffectiveness are required before the intragastric balloon can be compared with other short-term weight loss interventions, including low-calorie diets. |
| The absorption kinetics of chloroform following intragastric intubation are dependent upon the vehicle of delivery. |
| The intragastric balloon may be useful when obesity is not severe enough to justify bariatric surgery, or when patients refuse surgery. |
