Liver Morphology and Biochemistry in Eight Obese Patients Treated with Jejunoileal Anastomosis

Ten patients were treated for obesity with jejunoileal shunt operation. Liver biopsies were performed in seven both during and 10 to 27 months after operation. The degree of fatty infiltration showed no distinct trend. Steatosis increased in three, decreased in three and remained unchanged in one. Two liver specimens were entirely normal at follow-up examination. Serum aspartate transaminase and sulfobromophthalein retention tests showed a transient deterioration after surgery, but later improved as compared with preoperative values. Prothrombin values decreased, but remained within normal limits. All other liver-function tests were unchanged. The present investigation does not support the contention that jejunoileal shunt for obesity should be abandoned for fear of severe liver damage.