Calcium Absorption and Bone Mineral Contents Following Intestinal Shunt Operation in Obesity

Abstract

Danö, P. & Christiansen, C. Calcium absorption and bone mineral contents following intestinal shunt operation in obesity. A comparison of three types of operation. Scand. J. Gastroent. 1974, 9, 775–779.

Calcium absorption and bone mineral contents were examined in 16 patients one to two years after intestinal shunt operation for obesity. Three types of operation were compared, all of them preserving 48 cm small intestine in function, but with varying jejunum/ileum ratio: Type I 36 em/12 cm, type II 24 cm/24 cm and type III 12 cm/36 cm. Calcium absorption was severely depressed, particularly in type I operated patients with 8% absorption against normal 21%. Type I and II operated patients had the most decreased bone mineral contents, on an average 88% of normal values. Calcium malabsorption and the resulting decreased bone mineral contents seemed to be related to the length of ileum in function. A longer ileal segment secured a higher calcium absorption and led to less demineralization of the bones.

Key-words::

• Bone mineral contents
• calcium absorption
• intestinal shunt operation
• obesity
• types of operation