| New system predicts risk from weight loss surgery |
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| Friday, 04 May 2007 | |
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"This represents the first validated scoring system for assessing risk for patients considering bariatric surgery," said Duke University Medical Center surgeon Eric DeMaria, M.D., who developed the system. "The system gives surgeons concrete data they can use in surgical decision-making and in their discussions with patients. Also, the system provides standardization of surgical outcomes, making comparisons among centers more meaningful." The system factors are: Weight (Body Mass Index) - risk is correlated with BMI Gender - males are more likely than females to suffer from hypertension, diabetes or other metabolic disorders that increase surgery risk Age - patients over 45 are most at risk Hypertension - risk is correlated with hypertension Pulmonary embolus - patients who have had a pulmonary embolism or at risk of developing an embolism are at increased risk. "When talking to patients about bariatric surgery, we can cite national averages on risks, but that is not very helpful when I have a specific patient sitting in front of me," DeMaria said. "Many physicians and patients see bariatric surgery as an option to use only when all other approaches to weight loss have failed. However, our system shows that this strategy may need to be reconsidered. "If patients put off surgery while they attempt other weight-loss therapies that ultimately don't work, over time they risk moving into a higher-risk category as they gain more weight, get older or develop hypertension. In these cases, delays can make surgery even riskier," DeMaria said. |
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