[Fulminant liver failure in anamnestic morbid obesity]

Jejunoileal bypass was an effective method of treatment for weight reduction in severe cases of obesity. However, long-term follow-up revealed serious and even lethal side-effects, e.g. acute liver failure, as shown in a case report of a patient who died 28 years post-operatively of acute liver failure as a direct result of liver cirrhosis. We therefore conclude that jejunoileal bypass should no longer be performed, especially as better methods, such as gastric banding, exist. Patient care and monitoring is highly important and, if feasible, the bypass procedure should be reversed.