Significant Liver-Related Morbidity After Bariatric Surgery and Its Reversal—a Case Series

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) occurs in up to 80% of patients with obesity. Current data suggest an improvement of NAFLD after established bariatric procedures.

This study investigated liver function impairment after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and one-anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB).

University Hospital, Bariatric Surgery Unit

In this single-center case series, consecutive in- and outpatients after bariatric surgery who presented with severe liver dysfunction from March 2014 to February 2017 were included and followed until March 2017.

In total, 10 patients (m:f = 2:8; median age 48 years, range 22–66 years) were included. Liver dysfunction occurred after a median postoperative time of 15 months (range 2–88 months). Median %excess weight loss at that time was 110.6% (range 85.2–155.5%). Liver steatosis/fibrosis occurred in 70%, cirrhosis in 30% of patients, and led to fatigue (90%), ascites (70%), hepatic encephalopathy (30%), and upper gastrointestinal bleeding (20%). Elevation of transaminases, impairment of coagulation parameters, thrombocytopenia, and hypoalbuminemia were present in 70, 80, 70, and 100%, respectively. In eight patients, lengthening of the alimentary/common limb led to an improvement or complete remission of symptoms. In one patient, liver transplantation was required, one patient deceased due to septic shock and decompensated liver disease.

Severe liver dysfunction may also occur after bariatric procedures such as OAGB and RYGB. A comprehensive, meticulous follow-up for early identification of postoperative liver impairment should be aspired. Bypass length reduction led to a fast improvement in all patients.