Severe corneoconjunctival xerosis after biliopancreatic bypass for obesity (Scopinaro's operation)

A 35-year-old woman, who had undergone an uncomplicated Scopinaro-type biliopancreatic bypass for obesity nine years previously, was examined because of severe bilateral corneoconjunctival xerosis and markedly decreased vision. One month earlier she had had a bout of nonspecific enteritis. She was treated with intramuscular vitamin A.

After one month of therapy, the ocular xerosis had cleared completely and her vision had returned to normal. This case suggests that this kind of operation can cause instability of vitamin A absorption.