CZECH REPUBLIC: First Czechs undergo small intestine bypass for obesity

PRAGUE, Czech Republic (Prague Daily Monitor - CTK), August 21, 2008: The first four Czechs have undergone a small intestine diversion operation for obesity that is relatively complex and implies the risk of possible complications, Martin Fried, head doctor of the Iscare clinical centre, said Wednesday. The Scopinaro surgery that is performed laparoscopically eliminates a part of the small intestine from digestion and doctors also reduce a part of the patient's stomach. "When a person eats something, for instance, only 40 percent of the calories are absorbed," Fried said. He said doctors can even influence the quantity of energy that the body draws from food. It depends on how big part of the small intesine is left functioning. Fried said, however, the "surgery is a big interference in the human organism." The operation is only applied in patients who would not probably positively respond to stomach banding and in people who would not be able to eat less even with a reduced stomach. Fried said some 800 people undergo some type of surgery to treat heavy obesity, but that some 2000 such operation would have to be conducted annually if the growth in the number of obese people were to be reduced. A mere 30 percent of Czechs above 45 have a normal weigh. Seventeen percent of people suffer from obesity and their number is constantly increasing. Fried said the Scopinaro surgery is successful when the patient loses at least 40 percent of his/her overweight and keeps the weight for five years. Another criterion of success is an improvement or complete elimination of associated diseases, such as diseases of joints and lower fertility. The Scopinaro surgery has been conducted in the world since 1975. It is called after Nicola Scopinaro from Italy who introduced this type of surgery. Copyright 2008 Czech News Agency (ČTK).