Gastric bypass surgery being performed increasingly often in Finland

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The number of operations carried out for gastric bypasses and gastric sleeves has increased sharply over the current year.
      For example around two dozen seriously overweight patients were operated on at the Helsinki University Central Hospital (HUCH) in 2007. By the end of this year the number of such operations will be around 100, according to chief doctor Marja Leivonen from HUCH.
      From the beginning of the current year, the operations have been performed in the HUCH Peijas Hospital in Vantaa.
     
The number of gastric bypasses and sleeves has increased also in other hospitals across the country. Both the Vaasa and Kuopio central hospitals report that in 2008 the figures for such bariatric operations (measures to induce weight-loss in cases of obesity) will double to 100 from 50 in 2007.
      At the Päijät-Häme Central Hospital in Lahti, the corresponding figure for 2008 will be 30, and in the Turku University Hospital around 50.
      Similar gastric operations are made at least in Oulu, Pori, and Seinäjoki.
     
The number of these interventions is growing as they have been found to significantly reduce and sometimes even heal cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. The operation will pay for itself in around three years.
      As patients are more aware of the effectiveness of the treatment, the queues for surgery are growing. The waiting time for the Turku University Hospital is as long as 18 months.
      Even though the patient has to stay in the hospital only for three days on average, the entire process takes from 12 months to 18 months.
      ”The patients will first have to undergo dietary treatments and medical slimming attempts before any operation can be even considered”, reports Marja Leivonen.
      This initial slimming process can reduce the patient’s weight by the first 20 or so kilos.
     
The patient's motivation will also be assessed. According to Leivonen, all patients at HUCH have been highly motivated.
      Self-discipline is important for the patient even after the operation.
      ”The patient will have to be able to lead a controlled life after the surgery”, says Matti Pääkkönen from the University Hospital of Kuopio. The weight of his patients has dropped by some 35 to 40 kilos.
      The most popular bariatric surgical operation is the so-called gastric bypass, in which only a stub of the stomach remains. In the so-called gastric sleeve (sleeve gastrectomy), a portion of the stomach is removed. In some cases the latter operation is a first stage towards a gastric bypass.
      The so-called gastroplasty or gastric banding is no longer popular any more, as almost one-third of such operations fail, according to Pekka Tolonen from the Vaasa Central Hospital. Gastric banding involves permanently stapling a part of the stomach or the insertion of an adjustable silicone "lap band".
     
Finns are one of the most overweight populations in the world. In fact, as many as 25 per cent of Finnish men and nearly 30 per cent of women are seriously overweight.
      Excess weight and obesity have been shown to increase the likelihood of certain diseases and other health problems. For example, excess body fat is a predictor of risk for coronary heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis, or cancer.
      Recent studies indicate that gastric operations reduce mortality. The New England Journal Of Medicine has reported on some 8,000 patients who have undergone such an operation. It was noticed that some 56% fewer coronary disease deaths and some 92% fewer diabetes-related deaths occurred among them than did among those who had not undergone such an operation.
      In 2007, the total number of operated Finnish patients was 152. Over the current year, the number will more than double to over 400.
      The goal of the experts is to perform some 2,500 annual operations.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  National public health study to focus on obesity prevention (16.1.2007)
  Study shows Finns seriously overweight in all parts of the country (8.1.2007)

Links:
  Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa
  National Public Health Institute: Nutrition and Health
  Bariatric surgery (Wikipedia)

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