[Levels of hepatic fats in jejuno-ileal bypass. Experimental study]

Liver failure is a serious complication when small bowel bypass is used for control of obesity. To analyse the changes in liver microscopic morphology and liver fatty acids content, 42 rabbits divided in two groups were studied. The 21 animals of group I had 50% of the distal jejuno-ileum excluded and anastomosed to the cecum. The proximal 50% were anastomosed to the distal 5 cm of the ileum. The 21 animals of group II were used as controls and were submitted to a laparotomy and small bowel manipulation. Liver histology and fatty acids content were studied at the time of these operations and in the 21st postoperative day. No signficant histologic changes were noticed in both groups. A significant decrease in liver fatty acids content was observed in groups I and II. However, the decrease in group II was less pronounced than in group I. This last observation appears to support the theory of liver lipid metabolism impairment after small bowel bypass, even in the absence of obesity.