Background: The intragastric balloon is filled with saline and methylene blue dye, to detect balloon deflation early and prevent bowel obstruction, by monitoring the patient's urine for changes in color. Methods: An intragastric balloon filled with 590 ml of saline plus 10 ml of methylene blue was endoscopically placed under sedation in a 22-year-old man with morbid obesity (BMI 42 kg/m2). 3 days later, the patient's urine changed to dark green, and, suspecting a leaking balloon, endoscopy was repeated under sedation. Results: No signs of balloon deflation were seen, and the urine returned to normal color. The next day, the urine turned green again. 7 days later, the urine discoloration finally disappeared. Conclusion: Propofol, a sedative commonly used by anesthesiologists during endoscopic procedures, is known to have several side-effects, and urine discoloration is one of them, albeit rare. This benign side-effect must be known to obesity surgeons to avoid pointless medical expenditure, unnecessary balloon removal and distress for patients and clinicians.
Bernante P., Francini F., Zangrandi F., Menegon P., Toniato A., Feltracco P., et al. (2003). Green Urine after Intragastric Balloon Placement for the Treatment of Morbid Obesity. OBESITY SURGERY, 13(6), 951-953 [10.1381/096089203322618858].
Green Urine after Intragastric Balloon Placement for the Treatment of Morbid Obesity
Bernante P.;
2003
Abstract
Background: The intragastric balloon is filled with saline and methylene blue dye, to detect balloon deflation early and prevent bowel obstruction, by monitoring the patient's urine for changes in color. Methods: An intragastric balloon filled with 590 ml of saline plus 10 ml of methylene blue was endoscopically placed under sedation in a 22-year-old man with morbid obesity (BMI 42 kg/m2). 3 days later, the patient's urine changed to dark green, and, suspecting a leaking balloon, endoscopy was repeated under sedation. Results: No signs of balloon deflation were seen, and the urine returned to normal color. The next day, the urine turned green again. 7 days later, the urine discoloration finally disappeared. Conclusion: Propofol, a sedative commonly used by anesthesiologists during endoscopic procedures, is known to have several side-effects, and urine discoloration is one of them, albeit rare. This benign side-effect must be known to obesity surgeons to avoid pointless medical expenditure, unnecessary balloon removal and distress for patients and clinicians.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
