Nutritional Markers following Duodenal Switch for Morbid Obesity

Background: Laparoscopic duodenal switch with gastric reduction (LapDS) is a minimally invasive hybrid operation combining moderate intake restriction with moderate malabsorption for treatment of morbid obesity. In LapDS, both the quantity of food ingested and the efficiency of digestion are reduced. Methods: A cohort of 589 sequential LapDS patients had laboratory studies drawn annually. Serum markers for calcium, iron and protein metabolism and for hepatic function were analyzed using SAS statistical software. Results: There were 95 men and 494 women. Mean age was 44 years, mean BMI 50 kg/m2 and mean preoperative weight 142 kg. Although mean hemoglobin decreased below reference and mean parathyroid hormone (PTH) increased above reference, similar to abnormal values reported after Roux-en-y gastric bypass, both hemoglobin and calcium in LapDS readily returned to within the reference range following supplementation with iron and calcium respectively. Mean iron, corrected calcium, alkaline phosphatase, albumin, total protein, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), and bilirubin remained within the normal range. Conclusion: LapDS is not associated with broad nutritional deficiencies. Annual laboratory studies, which are required following any type of bariatric operation, appear to be sufficient to identify unfavorable trends. In selected patients, additional iron and calcium supplementation are effective when indicated.