How is the impact of bariatric surgery on ultra-sonographic findings of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease among morbidly obese patients?

Abstract

Introduction: Obesity is a great concern of twenty-first century. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is among most serious complications of obesity which can lead to liver fibrosis in progressed conditions. Bariatric surgery is now the most obvious treatment of obesity. The aim of this study is to assess impact of bariatric surgery on hepatic steatosis through ultrasonography and patients' lipid profile change postoperatively. Material and Methods: This is a clinical-trial conducted on 50 patients underwent gastric bypass surgery in 2017-18. Serum levels of triglyceride and total cholesterol were measured and also ultrasonography considering NAFLD was performed for all patients preoperatively and within six months after bariatric surgery. NAFLD was graded from 0-3 based on ultra-sonographic findings. Obtained data were analyzed and compared. Results: Mean age of studied participants was 36.6 +/- 9.2 years old and forty-three (86) of them were females. Significant decrease in rate of hepatic steatosis was detected postoperatively (P-value=0.03). NAFLD grading, serum triglyceride and total cholesterol level significantly improved postoperatively (P-value<0.001). Conclusion: Findings of this study were in correlation with previous studies regarding improvement of hepatic steatosis in ultrasonography assessments pre- and postoperatively. In addition, lipid profile including triglyceride and total cholesterol changed into better statuses within six months after bariatric surgery.