Biliopancreatic diversion for treatment of morbid obesity: Experience in 50 cases

Background: Biliopancreatic diversion (BPD) by Scopinaro's method is an operation advocated by some surgeons as an effective treatment for morbid obesity. Methods: Between February 1995 and April 1997 we performed BPD by Scopinaro's method on 50 patients with morbid obesity (23 males), average age 41.4 years (range 20-63 years), average body weight 135.08 kg (range 89-256 kg), mean body mass index (BMI) 50.65 kg/m² (range 37.01-81.56 kg/m²). Results: In all cases a gradual decrease in weight was obtained [mean BMI at 1 month: 44.8 kg/m², at 6 months (31 patients): 35.09 kg/m², at 1 year (23 patients): 31.36 kg/m², at 18 months (14 patients): 29.89 kg/m² and at 2 years (5 patients): 29.27 kg/m²]. At the same time a significant improvement in the pathological conditions associated with morbid obesity was observed. The patients were able to suspend oral antihypertensive and antidiabetic therapy as these parameters spontaneously returned to normal values by the sixth postoperative month; all cases showed a marked reduction in hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia. Postoperative complications were: one death (2%) on the third day due to heart failure; two late intestinal occlusions (4%); one acute dilatation of the stomach (2%); one peritonitis caused by early dehiscence of the anastomosis (2%); five anastomotic ulcers (10%); two cases of protein malnutrition (4%). Conclusions: BPD by Scopinaro's method is a bariatric procedure which is technically complex. However is it safe and reproducible and it induces a substantial weight loss.