Elsevier

Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases

Volume 7, Issue 6, November–December 2011, Pages 669-671
Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases

ASMBS statement
American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery position statement on global bariatric healthcare

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soard.2011.08.009Get rights and content

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Preamble

The following position statement is issued by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) in response to numerous inquires made to the Society by patients, physicians, society members, hospitals, and others regarding global travel and medical tourism for bariatric surgery procedures. In this statement, the available data are summarized regarding this issue from current knowledge, expert opinion, and published peer-reviewed scientific evidence available at this time. The

The issue

In recent years, there has been a sharp increase in the number of patients who travel long distances across state or international borders for medical care [1]. This practice, often referred to as medical tourism, has spurred an industry that facilitates travel for a wide spectrum of medical and surgical procedures. This new industry has been created to advise patients on the appropriate facility in the right region or country for their condition, handle all travel arrangements, teleconference

The data

Currently, few published data have specifically addressed global travel for bariatric surgery. The number of patients undergoing bariatric surgery abroad or across international boundaries is unknown, and there is a need for more empiric research on the role, process, and outcomes of medical tourism [10]. The issues raised by the American Medical Association and the American College of Surgeons position statements do address the general issues that should be considered with regard to medical

Summary and recommendations

From the limited available data, guidelines published by other medical societies, expert opinion, and a primary concern for patient safety, the ASMBS supports the following statements and guidelines regarding bariatric surgical procedures and global bariatric healthcare:

  • 1

    Because of the unique characteristics of the bariatric patient, the potential for major early and late complications after bariatric procedures, the specific follow-up requirements for different bariatric procedures, and the

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    All patients underwent MGB in 2 experienced bariatric surgical units in Naples, Italy. Inclusion criteria were as follows: presence of class ≥II morbid obesity, defined as a body mass index (BMI) >40 or >35 in case of co-morbidities, indications to undergo bariatric surgery according to international guidelines [9], and absence of any preoperative signs of pathologic GERD, such as clinically relevant GERD symptoms, hiatal hernia, esophagitis, or Barrett's esophagus. Exclusion criteria were as follows: absence of any clinical or instrumental examination required by the study protocol, psychiatric illness, loss to follow-up, and declining consent to participate.

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Correspondence: Stacy Brethauer, MD, Clinical Issues Committee, Bariatric and Metabolic Institute, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, M61, Cleveland, OH 44195.

E-mail: [email protected]

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