In a groundbreaking study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons, Dr. Shauna Levy and her team from Tulane University offered morbidly obese and ESRD patients kidney transplants and a higher quality of life. Their bariatric-transplant surgeon joint programme gave obese transplant candidates new hope.
A study of 183 patients (mean age 42.9 years), 66.7 percent female, used MBS to overcome medical hurdles to transplant. However, insurance and medical issues plagued the first patients. Twenty RYGB and 16 SG patients underwent bariatric surgery successfully.
Prior to the transplant, patients’ BMI decreased by 27%, from an average of 46.4 kg/m² to 33.9 kg/m². After surgery, blood pressure and A1C levels dropped, proving the strategy works.
The program’s unique benefit is healthcare equity. Dr. Levy highlighted that this alliance breaks down barriers for obese ESRD candidates and addresses healthcare access gaps, especially for African Americans and low-income people who are disproportionately afflicted by obesity disease.
However, the study highlighted its challenges. Patients dropped out at high rates and developed hypotension and dialysis mode modifications after surgery. However, existing approaches have shortcomings, and this new concept shows how teamwork can improve transplant outcomes and healthcare inclusion. This pilot project marks a new era in healthcare by filling gaps with communal approaches and giving patients with complex health journeys hope.
