Original Title: Kirurgisk behandling af svær overvægt - en medicinsk teknologivurdering

Authors' objectives: The purpose of the HTA is to update the evidence of the recommended surgical interventions for severe obesity in Denmark and the significance of the treatment for the patients operated on as well as examine the organisational and financial consequences of the interventions.

Authors' recommendations: The two surgical methods may not be regarded as competitive methods for the same group of patients. The choice of method should be made in relation to what the patient is prepared for in terms of accepting side effects, the desired extent of weight loss and the intake of lifelong medicine.It has been documented that surgery is an effective method of treating obesity compared to conventional therapy but documentation of the most effective method of surgery is limited. This applies to all aspects that have been examined in this HTA. The reason is primarily lack of good randomised, controlled studies and lack of long-term studies where the patients are followed for a number of years.Bariatric surgery reduces the risk and incidence of complications. The two methods of surgery are typically chosen by different groups of patients and a direct comparison is therefore irrelevant. It is thus doubtful whether we will see randomised, controlled studies in the future for the purpose of comparing gastric bypass and gastric banding. The patients experience increased self-respect and acceptance from their surroundings after losing weight. This may imply changed social behaviour which may result in both positive and negative consequences for their private lives.The Danish common protocol ensures a relatively uniform care pathway whether the patient is treated in a private or public hospital. The lack of medical specialists who can perform bariatric surgery will entail that the demand for surgical procedures cannot be met.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2007

URL for published report: https://www.sst.dk/da/Udgivelser/2007/Kirurgisk-behandling-af-svaer-overvaegt---en-medicinsk-teknologivurdering

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Denmark

Organisation Name: Danish Centre for Evaluation and Health Technology Assessment

Contact Address: National Board of Health, PO Box 1881, Islands Brygge 67, DK-2300 Copenhagen S, Denmark. Tel: 45 72 22 74 48; Fax: 45 72 22 74 07/67

Contact Name: dacehta@sst.dk

Contact Email: dacehta@sst.dk

Copyright: Danish Centre for Health Technology Assessment (DACEHTA)