Improvement in co-morbidities following weight loss by vertical banded gastroplasty in super obese individuals

Vertical banded gastroplasty [VBG] is a safe, and effective operation to treat obesity. The amount of excess weight that must be lost to improve the co-morbidities in the super obese patients remain unknown. Eighteen super obese patients [BMI > 50 kg /m[2]] underwent VBG and were followed up for I-2 years to evaluate the improvement in the pre-existing co-morbidities. The mean BMI decreased from 62.2 +/- 7.1 to 39.7 +/- 6.1. The weight loss was associated with resolution of 76% of co- morbidities and improvement of 21%, while 3% remained unchanged. VBG was associated with resolution or improvement of a significant number of co-morbidities associated with super obesity

Bile peritonitis

Bile peritonitis is an uncommon catastrophy. Unless there is a reason to suspect, diagnosis of bile peritonitis is impossible until exploration is done. Diagnosis is often made late, since initially sterile bile causes only minimal peritoneal reaction. The purpose of the present article is a trial to clarify the condition early so as to lessen the high rate of mortality in bile peritonitis