Effect of bariatric surgery on liver fibrosis.

Background: Although bariatric surgery has been shown to improve hepatic steatosis in morbidly obese patients, the effect of weight loss on hepatic fibrosis has not been determined. Since the prognosis of patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is closely related to the development of hepatic fibrosis, it is important to determine the hepatic histology of these patients after weight loss. We therefore evaluated the prevalence of hepatic fibrosis in morbidly obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery and assessed the correlation of histologic changes with weight loss.

Bone mineral density and nutritional profile in morbidly obese women.

Background: Morbid obesity may be associated with malnutrition. Because it is important to assess the preoperative nutritional/metabolic status and bone mineral density of these patients, this study was designed aiming to evaluate bone metabolism/mineral density and nutritional profile in morbidly obese women.

Methods: Thirty-three morbidly obese women in preoperative care for obesity surgery were enrolled.

Obese patients with type 2 diabetes submitted to banded gastric bypass: greater incidence of dumping syndrome.

Background: Dumping syndrome is one of ten most common complications in morbidly obese patients operated. Recent studies in relation to type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) in patients submitted to gastric bypass led us to examine the different outcomes in this group of patients. Our objective was to determine the difference in the prevalence of dumping syndrome in patients with DM2 submitted to gastric bypass.

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy with NOTES visualization--a step toward NOTES procedures.

Background: To demonstrate that bariatric procedures can be done with natural orifice visualization (NOTES) at 2 institutions (Nucleo Universitario de Estudos de Notes Centro de Cirurgia Experimental Vila do Conde-Junqueira, Vila do Conde, Portugal and Pontificia Universidade Catolica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil). NOTES is a new surgical approach that is being developed. It consists of the use of a minimally invasive technique in which the surgical procedure is performed through natural orifices, thereby circumventing incisions through the skin.

Gastric carcinoid tumor--incidental finding on endoscopy prior to bariatric surgery.

A 32-year-old female patient with morbid obesity (body mass index 44.4) was submitted to upper digestive endoscopy performed routinely as a preoperative procedure in bariatric surgery. The examination identified multiple small polypoid lesions in the upper portion of the gastric body, some with small ulcerations.

Need for multivitamin use in the postoperative period of gastric bypass.

Background: Based on the reduced gastric volume and the malabsorption produced by Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP) and diet therapy, it is essential in the postoperative period to obtain and maintain an adequate nutritional state, with the aim of preventing malnutrition and seeking a healthy life. It is observed that patients have difficulty in understanding the new food choices that must considered, as they have eating habits that are very divergent from those currently proposed. There is often the need for vitamin and mineral replacement after laboratory tests.

A comparison of wedge and needle hepatic biopsy in open bariatric surgery.

Background: Morbidly obese patients, despite normal laboratory tests and no clinical evidence of liver disease, present a high prevalence of hepatic histological changes. Liver biopsy is able to provide the diagnosis, staging and assessment of follow-up of hepatic disease, thus helping to define clinical management. There is no agreement on which biopsy technique provides better material for analysis.

Histological behavior of hepatic steatosis in morbidly obese patients after weight loss induced by bariatric surgery.

Background: Hepatic steatosis has a high prevalence among morbidly obese patients. Its relation to steatohepatitis and cirrhosis has been extensively studied among these patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the behavior of hepatic steatosis with weight loss 1 year after bariatric surgery.

The role of ultrasound in the diagnosis of hepatic steatosis in morbidly obese patients.

Background: Hepatic steatosis is prevalent in obese patients. Although it requires histology for diagnosis, ultrasound may indicate its presence. We evaluated the importance of ultrasound in the diagnosis of steatosis in morbidly obese patients, and considered its clinical relevance for patients with BMI of 35-40 kg/m(2) without co-morbidities.

Hepatic steatosis in patients undergoing bariatric surgery and its relationship to body mass index and co-morbidities.

Background: Although non-alcoholic hepatitis usually is asymptomatic and benign, this condition may progress to cirrhosis and hepatic failure. Some findings are similar to alcoholic hepatitis, but there is no history of excessive alcohol consumption. Among the factors associated with non-alcoholic hepatitis, obesity, diabetes and dyslipidemia are the most important.