Jejunoileal bypass for obesity--what can we learn from a literature study?

A computerized search was made of all publications on jejunoileal bypass for obesity, recorded in Index Medicus during 1963 to 1977. A total of 171 references, dealing with 6319 patients were usable for the purpose. Fifty-three variables were registered. The great majority of publications is American and published since 1972. Only 20% are joint publications from collaborating surgical and medical departments. The study draws attention to a number of quantitative and qualitative deficiencies in the data and to the less expedient way they are sometimes presented. Principally, this applies to patient number and description, length of observation time, and frequency of complications. Lack of specified criteria for surgical eligibility is common, as is ambiguity in conclusion. It is suggested that recommendations, positive or negative, reflect the authors' subjective attitude, as they are apparently made from the same objective data.