Attorney Steve Davis Co-Authors Trial News Online Article on Wernicke's Encephalopathy Following Bariatric Surgery

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HOUSTON, TX, January 22, 2026 (EZ Newswire) -- Trial News Online has published an article examining Wernicke’s encephalopathy (WE) in the context of bariatric surgery, co-authored by medical malpractice attorney Steve Davis of Davis & Davis.

According to the article, bariatric surgeries (including gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, and adjustable gastric band procedures) can place patients at risk for thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency, particularly when post-operative nutrition is inadequate or improperly managed.

The authors explain that some post-bariatric surgery patients experience difficulty obtaining sufficient nutrition after surgery. In more serious cases, patients require parenteral nutrition, an intravenous method of nourishment that bypasses the gastrointestinal tract. When parenteral nutrition is the sole source of nutrition, it is referred to as total parenteral nutrition (TPN).

The article notes that thiamine supplementation is therefore required and is commonly administered intravenously through vitamin preparations such as Infuvite.

The authors further explain that TPN may be administered in hospital settings or delivered to patients at home, where it must be properly stored, compounded, mixed, and administered intravenously, often through a central venous catheter, including peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC lines), tunneled catheters, or implanted ports. The article emphasizes that, while sometimes characterized as “simple,” the TPN process is complex and requires careful monitoring.

Drawing on a meta-analysis by Oudman et al., the article states that bariatric-related Wernicke’s encephalopathy is increasing as bariatric procedures increase, and that approximately 80% of cases occur within the first six months after surgery. The meta-analysis concludes that Wernicke’s encephalopathy can be fully prevented by supplying prophylactic thiamine.

The article identifies multiple points at which failures may occur, including:

• Failure by surgeons or post-operative physicians to diagnose thiamine deficiency, misdiagnosis of symptoms as psychiatric conditions, failure to test for deficiency, or failure to order intravenous thiamine
• Failures by pharmacies or compounding providers to properly compound TPN or thiamine supplements, identify missing thiamine components, or deliver supplementation at appropriate intervals
• Failures by inpatient or at-home nursing providers to identify symptoms of thiamine deficiency, communicate concerns to the care team, or properly administer TPN and thiamine

According to the article, if thiamine deficiency and Wernicke’s encephalopathy are not diagnosed and treated promptly, patients may suffer chronic and permanent neurological injury, including severe cognitive, motor, and functional impairment, as well as coma and death.

“The medical literature makes clear that thiamine deficiency in post-bariatric patients is a known and documented risk. Our article examines how Wernicke’s encephalopathy can develop when that risk is not adequately anticipated, monitored, and addressed in the post-operative setting,” Davis said.

The authors note that although Wernicke’s encephalopathy was first recognized in association with chronic alcohol use, its development in post-bariatric surgery patients reflects a failure to properly diagnose and treat thiamine deficiency in order to avoid a permanent and fundamentally life-altering brain injury, as documented in the literature.

Steve Davis has extensive experience litigating medical malpractice cases involving diagnostic failures and catastrophic neurological injuries. His co-authorship reflects an effort to educate trial lawyers and clinicians on the risks of thiamine deficiency and Wernicke’s encephalopathy in post-bariatric patients, as reflected in published medical research.

Q&A: Wernicke’s Encephalopathy and Bariatric Surgery

What is Wernicke’s encephalopathy?

As described in the article, Wernicke’s encephalopathy is a neurological condition caused by thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency that can result in confusion, coordination problems, eye movement abnormalities, and permanent brain injury if not treated.

How does the article connect Wernicke’s encephalopathy to bariatric surgery?

The article explains that bariatric surgery patients may have difficulty obtaining adequate nutrition after surgery and may develop thiamine deficiency, particularly when prolonged vomiting or reliance on total parenteral nutrition is present.

Is Wernicke’s encephalopathy preventable according to the article?

Yes. The article cites a meta-analysis by Oudman et al., which concludes that Wernicke’s encephalopathy can be fully prevented by providing prophylactic thiamine.

When does bariatric-related Wernicke’s encephalopathy most often occur?

The article states that approximately 80% of bariatric-related Wernicke’s encephalopathy cases occur within the first six months following surgery.

What are the early warning signs discussed in the article?

The article identifies severe vomiting as the most common early warning sign, with more advanced cases presenting with ataxia, eye movement disorders, and mental status changes.

Why do the authors say Wernicke’s encephalopathy is often not recognized early?

According to the article, initial symptoms are frequently not recognized as Wernicke’s encephalopathy, leading to delayed treatment and worse outcomes.

What happens if Wernicke’s encephalopathy is not treated?

The article explains that untreated Wernicke’s encephalopathy can result in permanent neurological injury, including long-term cognitive and functional impairment, coma, and death.

Why did Steve Davis co-author this article?

As reflected in the article, Davis co-authored the piece to highlight the medical literature on post-bariatric thiamine deficiency and to educate attorneys and clinicians about preventable neurological injury.

Where can the full article be read?

The article appears in Trial News Online and is available through the publication’s online library.

Media Contact

Amanda Orr

[email protected]

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SOURCE: Davis & Davis

https://app.eznewswire.com/news/steve-davis-trial-news-online-wernickes-encephalopathy