© FD-Communications Inc. Obesity Surgery, 15, 2005 799 Obesity Surgery, 15, 799-802 Background: Scopinaro biliopancreatic diversion (BPD) for morbid obesity results in significant long- term weight loss and reduction or resolution of obe- sity-associated co-morbidities. The aim of our work was to describe the early results after BPD. Methods: 59 morbidly obese patients (BMI >40) underwent open BPD from December 2001 to December 2004. We analyzed a consecutive series of 19 patients who have been followed >4 months. We pres- ent the data of basal and early visits (2 and 4 months). Results: Initial excess weight percent loss (IEW%L) was 5.2% at 2 months and 13.7% at 4 months. Glycemia, cholesterol, triglyceride levels and blood pressure improved at each visit. All parameters have significant differences from the basal values. 3 patients had sleep apnea syndrome, and overnight CPAP was able to cease in 2 patients by 4 months. 6 patients (31.5%) had albumin <2.5 g/dl, without clini- cal findings of malnutrition. Total calorie (857±79.8 cal/day) and protein (59.8±23 g/day) intakes at 4 months were low, with a low intake of multivitamins and oligoelements from food. There was no mortality in this series. Early postoperative morbidity was inci- sional hernia (21.1%), anastomotic leak (5.2%), wound infection (15.7%), intra-abdominal infection (5.2%), and intestinal obstruction (5.2%). Conclusion: BPD showed early effectiveness in weight loss and co-morbidity improvement. Calorie, protein, oligoelement and vitamin dietary intakes were below recommendations, so that strict multidis- ciplinary follow-up and supplementation to prevent or treat nutritional deficiencies are mandatory. Key words: Morbid obesity, bariatric surgery, biliopancre- atic diversion, early surgical results Introduction The prevalence of massive obesity is rising. Obesity is associated with insulin resistance, which is a major threat to adult health, and is believed to underlie type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. 1 In Spain, 0.5% of the population is morbidly obese (0.7% of women and 0.4% of men). 2 Bariatric surgery is the only effective long-term treatment for morbid obesity, reducing or resolving the co-morbidities. The biliopancreatic diversion (BPD) of Scopinaro 3,4 is a mixed and complex operation that has shown the best long-term results in weight loss. BPD is considered to be a very good bariatric oper- ation. As the complexity increases in bariatric oper- ations, the effectiveness also increases, but the risk of side-effects and potential complications likewise may increase. A good knowledge of early follow-up, and potential complications is important. The aim of this study was to describe early results in morbidly obese patients after BPD. Subjects and Methods Subjects A total of of 59 morbidly obese patients (BMI >40) have been operated upon from December 2001 to December 2004. We analyzed a consecutive series of 19 patients who have been followed-up for >4 months, after open BPD by the Scopinaro technique. The BPD consisted of a 200-cm alimentary limb and a 50-cm common limb. Follow-up visits were car- Early Clinical and Surgical Results of Biliopancreatic Diversion D. A. de Luis; D. Pacheco; O. Izaola; A. Romero; J. L. Marcos; J. Pelaz; A. Barrera; G. Cabezas; M. C. Terroba; L. Cuellar; A. Anta Institute of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Medical School Unit of Investigation, Surgical Department, and Endocrinology Department, Hospital Rio Hortega, University of Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain Reprint requests to: Dr. D. A. de Luis, Associate Professor of Nutrition, Executive Director of Institute of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Medical School, Valladolid University, C/Los perales 16, Simancas 47130, Valladolid, Spain. E-mail: dadluis@yahoo.es