[Is bariatric surgery in adolescents appropriate?]

Current recommendations for bariatric surgery are limited to patients older than 18 years. Two studies in 2007 showed that bariatric surgery improves survival in adults. Medical management of severe obesity in adolescents is all too often ineffective. For these reasons, early surgical intervention for adolescents with morbid obesity may be expected to prevent or avoid comorbidities, decrease mortality, and improve the quality of life. Several studies have demonstrated the feasibility of adolescent bariatric surgery with morbidity comparable to that seen in adult series. The earlier the surgery, the better the result in terms of prevention or reversal of comorbid conditions. In the USA, a consensus definition of adolescents eligible for bariatric surgery specifies attainment of Tanner Stage IV of sexual maturity and achievement of 95% of axial growth. Just as in adults, bariatric surgery in adolescents requires prolonged follow-up; it is important that such surgery be performed in centers specialized in adult bariatric surgery having the necessary multidisciplinary structure.