Development of bariatric surgery: the effectiveness of a multi-disciplinary weight management programme in Hong Kong.
BACKGROUND
In Hong Kong, obesity and its associated co-morbidities are increasingly becoming a health and societal burden. Conservative weight management therapy is ineffective in maintaining substantial weight loss in severely obese patients and more invasive interventions are required to achieve sustainable weight loss.


METHODS
Invasive bariatric procedures were introduced to Hong Kong in 2002. Severely obese patients will be seen in a combined obesity clinic where multi-disciplinary assessment was carried out before interventional therapy. Patients will be allocated to various bariatric surgeries such as laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB), laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) or laparoscopic gastric bypass (LGB) when operative criteria were met. For selected patients who were not suitable or refused surgical treatment, endoscopic placement of intragastric balloon (IGB) will be used as an alternative weight control option. Multi-disciplinary approach was also applied during perioperative period to accomplish different clinical needs for the individual patient.


RESULTS
Over 500 patients were seen in our unit seeking advice on severe obesity. Two hundred and twenty-five patients received interventional therapy which included LAGB (n = 57), LSG (n = 71), LGB (n = 7) and IGB programme (n = 120). Thirty patients (25%) received second bariatric surgery after IGB removal. Adverse events occurred in 20 patients (7.8%) and there was no operative mortality. At 2 years, the mean percentage of excessive weight loss (%EWL) for LAGB, LSG and LGB are 34%, 51% and 61%, respectively. In those patients who received IGB alone, the mean %EWL at removal and 6 months after removal were 44% and 34%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Through a multi-disciplinary weight management programme with different specialties and various bariatric procedures, favourable results can be achieved in patients with severe obesity.
Wong
Simon K H
SK
Division of Upper GI Surgery, Department of Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. wongkhmo@cuhk.edu.hk
Mui
Wilfred L M
WL
Ng
Enders K W
EK
D000328:Adult; D050110:Bariatric Surgery; D005260:Female; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000601:surgery*; D010346:Patient Care Management; D010348:Patient Care Team