[Is there a role for surgery in the treatment of type 2 diabetes?]

Typ 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) can be regarded as a chronic and progressive disease which is rapidly increasing worldwide. There is a significant coincidence of T2DM and obesity, the latter playing a major role in the development of insulin resistance. Medical treatment comprises lifestyle counseling, weight management and an increased physical activity, frequently in combination with pharmacotherapy. However, especially in obese patients, metabolic aims are frequently not achieved which can be attributed to the lack of significant weight reduction. Currently, pancreas transplantation plays only a minor role in the treatment of patients with T2DM. Bariatric surgery has been proven to be a safe and effective therapeutic option in obese patients that leads to a significant weight loss. Moreover, in the majority of obese diabetics, a complete or partial remission of T2DM is observed. The significant weight loss is associated with improved insulin sensitivity. There is some evidence that alterations of gut hormones play an additional role in the amelioration of T2DM. However, little is known about the long-term effect of bariatric surgery on diabetes remission. Bariatric procedures should be considered in obese patients with T2DM (BMI > 35 kg/m²) and poorly controlled metabolic status. Despite the encouraging results in normal weight or overweight patients with T2DM, surgery can not yet be recommended in these patients. Intensive research about the impact of bariatric surgery on diabetes remission offers a unique opportunity to understand pathophysiology of T2DM. Furthermore, it may help to develop less invasive interventions and to identify new therapeutic targets for the treatment of T2DM.