Significant improvement in the hepatic histology of steatosis was observed after weight loss induced by bariatric surgery in most patients. There was no patient with a worsening in the histology.

The authors suggest that a liver biopsy should be performed in all patients at bariatric surgery, in order to evaluate possible liver damage and to assist postoperative care.

Weight loss in morbidly obese patients was associated with a reduction in the prevalence of hepatic fibrosis.

Needle biopsies were as effective as wedge biopsies in assessing the degree of steatosis in morbidly obese patients. More important, the presence of subcapsular fibrosis in needle biopsies was less than in wedge biopsies, suggesting an adequate tissue sample by the less invasive technique.

Proton pump inhibitors or histamine H2 receptor antagonists may be used to treat children with gastroesophageal reflux disease, but not to treat asthma or unspecific symptoms.