Isolated intestinal transit bipartition: a new strategy for staged surgery in superobesity.

ABSTRACT Objective: biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch is a complex, malabsorptive procedure, associated with improved weight loss and metabolic control. Staged surgery with sleeve gastrectomy as the first stage is an option for reducing complications in superobese patients. However, some problems persist: large livers can hamper the surgical approach and complications such as leaks can be severe. Intestinal transit bipartition is a modified and simplified model of biliopancreatic diversion that complements sleeve gastrectomy. It is similar to the duodenal switch, but with less complexity and fewer nutritional consequences. This study assessed the feasibility and safety of isolated transit bipartition as the initial procedure in a two-step surgery to treat superobesity. Methods: this prospective study included 41 superobese patients, with mean BMI 54.5±3.5kg/m2. We performed a laparoscopic isolated transit bipartition as the first procedure in a new staged approach. We analyzed weight loss and complications during one year of follow-up. Results: we completed all the procedures by laparoscopy. After six months, the mean percent excess weight loss was 28%, remaining stable until the end of the study. There were no intraoperative difficulties. Half of the patients experienced early diarrhea, and three had marginal ulcers. There were no major surgical complications or deaths. Conclusion: isolated laparoscopic transit bipartition is a new option for a staged approach in superobesity, which can provide a safer second procedure after effective weight loss over six months. It may be useful particularly in the management of patients with severe obesity.