| We report a patient who presented with an acute abdomen 7 months after the insertion of an intragastric balloon and discuss the current literature. |
| It can be caused by increased intragastric pressure or a transient or sustained decrease in the sphincter tone itself. |
| The intragastric balloon may be useful when obesity is not severe enough to justify bariatric surgery, or when patients refuse surgery. |
| 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 combination of potential risks and little benefit is the main reason there is no intragastric balloon on the market in the United States. |
| The absorption kinetics of chloroform following intragastric intubation are dependent upon the vehicle of delivery. |
