Surgical treatment of morbid obesity: An update

In 1998, the Conseil d’évaluation des technologies de la santé (the predecessor of AETMIS) published a report on the surgical treatment of morbid obesity. The need to clarify the status of biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (the procedure used in Québec), the rapid expansion of laparoscopic techniques and the growing prevalence of morbid obesity are the reasons for this update. This report also responds to a request from the MSSS asking AETMIS to examine the evolving efficacy of bariatric-surgery techniques and the best conditions for managing people with severe obesity. Lastly, this assessment explores the economic aspects of this treatment.