Current attitudes to the laparoscopic bariatric operations among European surgeons.
BACKGROUND
The current attitudes among European bariatric surgeons toward the laparoscopic bariatric operations were examined.


METHODS
150 questionnaires were sent to recognized bariatric surgeons in Europe, and 60% responded.


RESULTS
47% of respondents perform laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGBP), 81% laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB), and 29% laparoscopic biliopancreatic diversion with or without duodenal switch (L-BPD/BPDDS). For BMI <40, 57% of respondents would only perform LAGB, 7% LRYGBP, 2% vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG), 3% L-BPD/BPDDS, and 2% intra-gastric balloon. For BMI 40-50, 43% of respondents prefer LAGB, 11% LRYGBP, 8% VBG, 5% L-BPD/BPDDS, and 33% contemplate several operations. For BMI 50-60, 30% prefer LAGB, 23% LRYGBP, 5% VBG, 16% L-BPD/BPDDS, and 26% tailor each patient's treatment. For BMI >60, 20% prefer LAGB, 24% LRYGBP, 37% L-BPD/BPDDS, 2% VBG, and 17% consider more than one operation. Although important, BMI and patient eating habits are not significant in choosing an operation for 25% of respondents. Interestingly, 39% of the surgeons offer laparoscopic bariatric surgery to so-called pediatric patients (<18). Of these, 76% favor LAGB, 8% LRYGBP, 8% L-BPD and 4% other procedures.


CONCLUSIONS
The overall body of respondents prefers laparoscopic procedures. The responses suggest that at lower BMI there is a higher trend for restrictive operations. However, as BMI increases, combined and malabsorptive operations are preferred. At least one-third of surgeons offer bariatric surgery to patients with age <18 years, and here LAGB is greatly preferred.
Rivas
Homero
H
Obesity Surgery Unit, Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Institute of Digestive Diseases, Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, Corporació Sanitària Clínic, Villaroel 170, 08036 Barcelona, Spain. homerorivas@msn.com
Martínez
José-Luis
JL
Delgado
Salva
S
Vidal
Jusep
J
Lacy
Antonio M
AM
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D015904:Biliopancreatic Diversion / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005060:Europe; D015390:Gastric Bypass / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015391:Gastroplasty / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'