[Preliminary results of biliopancreatic diversion in the treatment of morbid obesity. Clinical considerations on 69 patients with a 3-year follow-up].

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The aim of this study was to evaluate the results obtained using Scopinaro's biliopancreatic diversion technique (AHS-BPD) in the surgical treatment of morbid obesity.

METHODS

A retrospective study was carried out in 69 patients with a follow-up ranging between 6-44 months. All patients were operated and monitored by the Obesity Surgery Centre operating in Sardinia since february 1995 at the Department of Emergency Surgery of Sassari University. All the patients were severely obese with a mean BMI of 51.58 and, in the majority of cases, presented associated metabolic diseases with the following incidence: type 2 diabetes in 40.57%, arterial hypertension in 36.23%, severe alteration of lipid status in 52.17%; in overall terms, a plurimetabolic syndrome was present in 24.63% of cases. All patients underwent biliopancreatic diversion using Scopinaro's classic technique (AHS-BPD). Controls were carried out at set intervals (1-3-6-12-18 and 24 months) to evaluate weight loss and the metabolic effects of surgery in terms of the lipid, glucose and protein status.

RESULTS

Results were good, as confirmed by the marked weight loss (BMI after 24 months: 30) and the normalisation of cholesterol and glycemia. No major reductions were observed in proteinemia and albuminemia levels.

CONCLUSIONS

In the light of these results, the authors affirm that Scopinaro's technique is a valid solution for the treatment of morbid obesity. Its relatively invasive nature is justified by the results obtained in terms of weight control and its effect on associated metabolic diseases.