Liver transplantation in a case of steatohepatitis and subacute hepatic failure after biliopancreatic diversion for morbid obesity

Background: Biliopancreatic diversion (BPD) was designed to avoid the serio us complications of jejunoileal bypass (steatohepatitis and hepatic failure ). Although this is today considered a safe and effective procedure, a few reports of patients who developed steatohepatitis and subsequently died in hepatic failure exist. Methods: We report a morbidly obese patient who developed subacute hepatiti s resulting in hepatic failure 1 year after BPD. Results: Because of irreversible liver failure the decision to perform a li ver transplantation was made. The patient underwent emergency liver transpl ant and lengthening of the common limb. The course of liver transplantation and the patient's recovery were uneventful. Conclusion: Severe liver disease may rarely follow BPD. Liver transplantati on and lengthening of the common bowel may be performed to treat these pati ents.