Background: Biliopancreatic bypass with duodenal switch is a treatment for morbid obesity that combines restriction of dietary intake with a high degree of malabsorption. The operation involves the risk of losing important nutritional elements.
Material and methods: 64 women and 14 men who had a biliopancreatic bypass with duodenal switch performed in 2002 - 2005 and were followed up at least once, six months or later after surgery, were examined with 3 to 6-month intervals for the following; body weight, clinical status, haematological variables, ferritin, folate, albumin, creatinine, retinol, alpha-tocopherol/lipids, vitamin D metabolites, parathyroid hormone, vitamin B1, lipids, glucose and other clinical chemical variables.
Results: Weight loss after surgery was substantial and rapid, from a mean of 153.8 kg (SD 30.2) to 92.7 kg (SD 21.6) after one year (n = 74). Low values of serum albumin, creatinine, retinol, 25-OH vitamin D and elevated parathyroid hormone were very common. Four women and three men (9 % of all) with common channels of < 100 cm, required a surgical revision mainly due to hypoalbuminemia. Two women became pregnant before the recommended 18 months after surgery.
Interpretation: Biliopancreatic bypass with duodenal switch in patients with common channels < 100 cm, has a high rate of complications and nutritional deficiencies. This surgery should be used restrictively.