How best to combine liver transplantation and bariatric surgery?—Results from a global, web‐based survey

Abstract

Background and AimsObesity is a growing healthcare challenge worldwide and a significant risk factor for liver failure as seen with non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Combining metabolic‐bariatric surgery (MBS) with liver transplantation (LT) appears as attractive strategy to treat both, the underlying liver disease and obesity. However, there is an ongoing debate on best timing and patient selection. This survey was designed to explore the current treatment practice for patients with NASH and obesity worldwide.MethodsA web‐based survey was conducted in 2022 among bariatric and LT surgeons, and hepatologists from Europe, North and South America and Asia.ResultsThe survey completion rate was 74% (145/196). The average respondents were 41–50 years (38%), male (82.1%) and had >20 years of clinical experience (42.1%). Centres with a high LT‐caseload for NASH were mainly located in the USA and United Kingdom. Almost 30% have already performed a combination of LT with MBS and 49% plan to do it. A majority of bariatric surgeons prefer MBS before LT (77.2%), whereas most of LT surgeons (52%) would perform MBS during LT. Most respondents (n = 114; 80%) favour sleeve gastrectomy over other bariatric techniques. One third (n = 42; 29.4%) has an established protocol regarding MBS for LT candidates.ConclusionThe most experienced centres doing LT for NASH are in the USA and United Kingdom with growing awareness worldwide. Overall, a combination of MBS and LT has already been performed by a third of respondents. Sleeve gastrectomy is the bariatric technique of choice—preferably performed either before or during LT.