Clinical and Metabolic Effects of Biliopancreatic Diversion Persist After Reduction of the Gastric Pouch and Elongation of the Common Alimentary Tract. Preliminary Report in a Series of Patients with a 10-Year Follow-Up

Background Biliopancreatic diversion (BPD) is a bariatric technique burdened, in some instances, by clinical evidence of malabsorption and malnutrition, and by intractable diarrhea. Objective The objective of this study was to assess metabolic and nutritional effects on patients undergoing BPD and BPD plus revisional surgery because of side effects. Methods Thirty-five consecutive BPD patients underwent revisional surgery (elongation of the common limb from 50 to 200 cm and reduction of the gastric pouch from 500 to 40 ml) after a median 48-month period [48.3 ± 9.17 months (mean ± SD)] and were observed for a total period of 116.2 ± 6.21 months; 88 patients only undergoing BPD (controls) were observed for 120 months. Results Revisional surgery significantly improved side effects of BPD, with resolution of clinical symptoms in most instances. After revisional surgery, patients had a further decrease of body weight. The effect on disappearance of diabetes mellitus (DM) was remarkable, with no difference between revisional surgery and BPD. Triglycerides and transaminases decreased in a similar way, while cholesterol levels differed significantly. Estimated glomerular filtration rate improved. Nutritional parameters were similarly affected. Conclusion This study suggests that it is possible to maintain the clinical and metabolic effects of BPD after a revisional procedure that leads to lesser malabsorption and to a greater restriction of the stomach. In particular, the positive effects on DM still persist after revisional surgery. This approach should be kept in mind in the presence of significant side effects due, inter alia, to excessive malabsorption.