Conventional gastric balloons for weight loss require endoscopy for placement and removal. The ELIPSETM is a new gastric balloon designed for weight loss that is swallowed and does not require endoscopy or anesthesia. The device is designed to remain in the stomach and be expelled after a predetermined time of 4 months. The objective of this work is to assess the efficacy and safety of the ELIPSETM procedureless gastric balloon for weight loss.

The ELIPSETM procedureless gastric balloon was identified by the early Awareness and Alert System, “SINTESIS-new technologies,” of The Instituto De Salud Carlos III (AETS-ISCIII). An early assessment of the technology was conducted. The searched databases were: MEDLINE (PubMed), Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, and the Cochrane Library. Clinical studies using the device published in any language until 10 January 2017 were reviewed.

A prospective, non-randomized, open label study supported by industry was retrieved. Thirty-four patients were enrolled. Six patients treated with an experimental device were excluded. Twenty-eight patients successfully swallowed the device. No endoscopy or anesthesia was required. All devices were excreted safely. Of the twenty-five patients finally studied, the mean percent total body weight loss was 10 percent (95 percent Confidence Interval, CI 7.3–12.7) and the mean waist circumference was reduced by 8.4cm (95 percent CI 5.7-11.8) at 4 months. Improvements were also seen in metabolic parameters (HbA1c, Low density lipoprotein, triglycerides and blood pressure). All aspects of quality of life measured by the Impact of Weight on Quality of Life (IWQoL) questionnaire demonstrated significant improvements. About safety, there were no serious adverse events or serious adverse device effects, however 64 percent of patients had vomiting, 54 percent experienced nausea, 25 percent had abdominal pain and 2 patients were excluded because of symptoms.

The ELIPSETM gastric balloon for weight loss seems to be an effective therapy with an acceptable safety profile. However it would be necessary to continue further studies to confirm these results, including comparative studies with current treatments.