Liver Biopsies Following Ileogastrostomy

Patients who have had ileogastrostomy for the treatment of morbid obesity require close, long-term follow-up. One concern in patients undergoing any form of intestinal bypass surgery is that of possible liver damage. To assess for possible liver damage in morbidly obese patients undergoing ileogastrostomy, we undertook a prospective study of liver biopsies in 12 consecutive patients. Preoperative and 2-year postoperative biopsies of the liver were planned. There were six liver biopsies available for comparison both pre- and post-operatively. The biopsies showed changes of fatty infiltration both pro- and post-operatively. There were no differences in the degree of fatty infiltration, or of other histological parameters which we measured. There were no cases of cirrhosis of the liver recorded.