J Obes Metab Syndr.  2020 Mar;29(1):4-11. 10.7570/jomes19073.

Current Issues in Bariatric Surgery for Adolescents with Severe Obesity: Durability, Complications, and Timing of Intervention

• Ahn SM

• KMID: 2504847
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7570/jomes19073

Abstract

Conventional nonsurgical management of severe obesity in the pediatric population and adolescents has focused on a multidisciplinary approach involving diet, exercise, behavioral modification, and to some extent,pharmaceuticals. Although nonsurgical strategies provide a certain degree of effective weight reduction, mostof the severely obese adolescents suffer from a high relapse rate. In recent studies, long-term outcomes of bariatric surgery for severely obese adolescents have shown sustainable effects on weight loss and resolution of related comorbidities, such as hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus in this vulnerable age group. Notably, therole and practical benefits of bariatric surgery as a multidisciplinary therapeutic approach to adolescent obesityis gaining attention and acceptance. However, a surgical approach has many obstacles that prevent the timelyevaluation and optimal intervention for adolescent obesity and its comorbidities. In the present review, the latest data on long-term outcomes after bariatric surgery for severely obese adolescents in terms of durability, effects on metabolic risk factors, complications, and optimal timing were summarized. The results showed thesustainability of weight loss and comorbidity resolution in adolescents following bariatric surgery. In addition,earlier surgery in patients without an extremely high body mass index increases the likelihood of a healthier lifein adulthood. This review can help clarify the beneficial effects of bariatric surgery on weight reduction and resolution of comorb

Keyword

Obesity; Bariatric surgery; Adolescents; Durability; Complications