[PCO syndrome--is it an indication for bariatric surgery?]

The polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most frequent cause of female infertility with an estimated prevalence of 6-10% in premenopausal women. Due to its long-term metabolic and cardiovascular consequences, it poses a severe health problem. Visceral obesity and subsequent insulin resistance represent the core pathophysiology of PCOS, clearly suggesting that measures to reduce abdominal obesity should be pursued.

Between February 1995 and October 2006, 204 patients underwent bariatric surgery in the SRH Hospital of Gera. 75% of the patients were female and three of them were suffering preoperatively from polycystic ovary syndrome and metabolic syndrome.

104 months after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, the excess body weight loss (EBWL) was 49, 67 and 41% in these three patients, respectively. Glucose levels normalised completely. One patient became pregnant after weight reduction.

In PCOS with metabolic syndrome, bariatric surgery is an option to reduce weight and to treat associated metabolic disorders. Surgery should be performed based on the body mass index, the metabolic disorders, and the wish of the patient to become pregnant.