Bariatric Surgery for the Treatment of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Is Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy the Best Future Option?

Abstract

There has been a worldwide rise in the prevalence of overweight and obese individuals. Due to this increase, there has been a related rise in the number of individuals with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease or NAFLD, a condition that is becoming a more common cause for cirrhosis leading to liver transplantation. Diet and activity program provide modest weight loss and are poor treatments for maintenance of weight loss. Multiple studies have shown that Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery can lead to histological improvement in both non-alcoholic fatty liver disease as well as in the subset of individuals who also have steatohepatitis. This editorial explores the potential for the newer bariatric surgery, vertical sleeve gastrectomy, to function as a surgical option for the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and steatohepatitis.