Background: Obesity is a global health concern, with bariatric surgery emerging as an effective treatment. One-anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) has gained popularity due to its shorter operation time and lower perioperative complication rates. However, OAGB is associated with short and long-term complications. Previous reports showed a subset of patients developed acute liver dysfunction after OAGB that necessitated liver transplantation or led to mortality.
Methods and Results: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following PRISMA guidelines. MEDLINE, EMBASE and PubMed databases were searched for studies published from 1946 to June 2024, focusing on the prevalence of liver dysfunction post-OAGB. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed by two independent reviewers. Statistical analyses include pooled prevalence estimates, subgroup analyses against biliopancreatic limb length and regions of the included studies, sensitivity analysis, and public bias assessment by Egger’s test. Of the 3,223 identified articles, 7 studies met the inclusion criteria, involving 2969 patients, with 91 developing liver dysfunction post-OAGB. The pooled prevalence of liver dysfunction was 1.2% (95%CI: 0.3-2.1%), with significant heterogeneity (I2= 88.5%, p<0.001). Subgroup analyses did not identify contributors to the heterogeneity. Sensitivity analysis validated the robustness of the findings, and no publication bias was detected by the Egger’s test.
Conclusion: The prevalence of liver dysfunction post OAGB is low but clinically significant, warranting intense postoperative care and regular liver function monitoring. The study’s limitation included the lack of extensive data on this topic. Nevertheless, as the first study to summarise current evidence, it provides a foundation for future research.