Overview of gastric bypass surgery

Gastric bypass surgery is indicated for several clinical reasons including benign and malignant upper gastrointestinal tract pathologies. Any gastric resection or bypass procedure interferes with gastric emptying and the aim of reconstruction is to minimize the disturbance to the upper gastrointestinal physiology. Gastric bypass procedures induce early satiety, with or without concomitant impaired absorption of nutrients, and offer the best solution for morbid obesity. The long-term health benefits of gastric bypass surgery for morbid obesity must be found to outweigh the operative risks and side-effects of gastric bypass and thus patient selection is fundamental. The aim of the study was to review the indications, complications, sequelae and outcome of gastric bypass procedures.