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Long-term effect of bariatric surgery on respiratory function in severe uncomplicated obesity

Mauro Maniscalco, Anna Zedda, Stanislao Faraone, Maria Rosaria Cerbone, Valentina Antognozzi, Stefano Cristiano, Cristiano Giardiello and Matteo Sofia

Background: Obesity can have profound adverse effects on the respiratory system. The long-term effects of weight loss attained by bariatric surgery on pulmonary function tests (PFT) are not well known. The aim of the study was to find out whether weight reduction induced by laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding is associated with a sustained improvement of the pulmonary functional parameters in the severely obese.  

Materials & methods: A consecutive series of 32 obese patients who had laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding were studied. BMI, walking distance, dyspnea and PFT were evaluated at baseline and after 12, 24 and 30 months after surgery.

Results: 32 patients (24 females, age mean 36 ± 11 years) were evaluated. Mean BMI (kg/m2) decreased from 43 ± 6 before to 35 ± 5 12 months postoperatively. The BMI remained decreased 24 and 30 months after surgery. In obese PFT increased 12 months postoperatively and it remained increased 24 and 30 months after bariatric surgery. Similarly, the distance walked increased from 453 m (range: 360–590) before operation to 626 m (range: 435–830) 1 year post-operatively (p < 0.0001) and the dyspnea score after the 6-min walk test was significantly reduced after operation. Both of these functional variables remained improved at 24 and 30 months after surgery.

Conclusion: Weight loss induced by bariatric surgery consistently improves functional lung parameters and walking ability in severe uncomplicated obese individuals and this improvement is maintained over a long period. Long-term effects of consistent weight loss on functional capacity in severely obese subjects warrants further studies.