title: Impact of age on long-term complications after biliopancreatic diversion.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of the study is to evaluate the importance of age on the mid- and long-term results and complications after biliopancreatic diversion (BPD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Our study comprises 132 morbidly obese patients who underwent Scopinaro BPD from February 1995 to April 2001, with follow-up from 24 to 96 months. The patients, 53 males (40%) and 79 females (60%), with mean preoperative BMI 50.2 (35.4-81.5), and mean age 42 (20-65), were divided in 4 groups. Group A age 20-35, 43 patients; Group B age 36-45, 33 patients; Group C age 46-55, 31 patients and Group D age >55, 25 patients. Incidence of long-term specific complications after BPD were analyzed, including protein malnutrition, reversals, anastomotic ulcer, and incisional hernia.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean postoperative BMI was similar in all Groups. After 60 months the following BMI values were observed. Group A 30.8, Group B 34.9, Group C 35.9, Group D 32. Incidence of long-term complications were not significantly different (chi(2)) in the 4 Groups, and were respectively: protein malnutrition 6.9%, 12.1%, 6.4%, 16.0%; anastomotic ulcer 11.6%, 9%, 6.4%, 16.0%; reversal 2.3%, 9.0%, 1.32%, 8.0%; ventral hernia 34.8%, 45.4%, 54.8%, 32.0%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  From the preliminary results, it appeared that the incidence of the complications was higher in group D (>55 years old), whereas group C (46-55 years old) showed a lower complication rate. However, the prevalence of complications in all groups was not statistically different on chi(2) analysis. No age limit for bariatric surgery could be determined from the age ranges studied.
authors.affiliation: Centro di Chirurgia Generale, Della Grande Obesita'e Patologie Correlate, Policlinico Universitario, Via Principessa Maria 30, 07100 Sassari, Italy. Urgenza@ssmain.uniss.it
authors.forename: Maria Laura
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Cossu
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fais
authors.forename: Giovanni B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Meloni
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Profili
authors.forename: Antonello
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Masala
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Alagna
authors.forename: Pier Paolo
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Rovasio
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Spartà
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pilo
authors.forename: Pier Luigi
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Tilocca
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Noya
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D015904:Biliopancreatic Diversion / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome