The Use of the Biliopancreatic Diversion as a Treatment for Failed Gastric Partitioning in the Morbidly Obese.

The dilemma with which every bariatric surgeon is confronted is: What to do with the inevitable failures? In vertical gastric partitioning, revising the gastroplasty results in a high second failure rate. In an effort to improve the Success rate in failed gastroplasty patients who request revisionary surgery, the biliopancreatic bypass (classic Scopinaro procedure) was carried out on 57 patients. They have been followed for up to 10 years. The long-term weight loss has averaged 69.4 lb, which is 87% of the pregastroplasty excess weight. The price paid by these patients, in terms of complications, has been significant. Twenty-two Percent have developed hypoalbuminemia with its accompanying peripheral edema; 24% have required i.v. hyperalimintation because Of malnutrition. Sixteen percent of the patients developed a late post-op bowel obstruction, one resulting in death. Osteomalacia, spontaneous fractures have occurred. The biliopancreatic diversion procedure (BPD) is an effective weight-loss operation in the failed gastroplasty patients, but a significant price must be paid in terms of careful follow-up, nutritional deficiencies, and rehospitalizations.