Steatohepatitis and fatal hepatic failure after biliopancreatic diversion

Steatohepatitis and hepatic failure are well known complications of jejunoileal bypass, an operation that has been abandoned as a treatment for severe obesity because of its potential for adverse metabolic consequences. Biliopancreatic diversion is a novel operation designed to avoid the harmful effects of jejunoileal bypass. Although it has not gained wide acceptance, this procedure is being advocated by some surgeons as a safe and effective treatment for severe obesity. Published reports indicate that liver histology generally remains stable or improves after biliopancreatic diversion. We present a patient who developed steatohepatitis and subsequently died in hepatic failure after this operation. Severe liver disease should be added to the list of complications that may follow biliopancreatic diversion.