Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy as first-line surgical treatment for morbid obesity among adolescents
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Published on: November 14, 2020
Aslam Ejaz1, Pankti Patel1, Raquel Gonzalez-Heredia1
1Department of Surgery, University of Illinois Hospital and Health Sciences System, Chicago, IL.
Background:
The increasing prevalence of obesity has necessitated the increasing use of bariatric surgery in the adolescent population. Outcomes following laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) among adolescents, however, have not been well-studied. We report outcomes following LSG as a first-line surgical therapy in patients under 21years of age.
Methods:
All patients who underwent LSG as a primary surgical option for morbid obesity were identified at the University of Illinois at Chicago between 2006 and 2014. Standard clinicopathologic and outcomes data were recorded.
Results:
We identified 18 patients (13 females, 5 males) who underwent LSG. Mean patient age was 17.8±1.7years. Mean BMI among all patients was 48.6±7.2kg/m2 and did not differ by gender (P=0.68). One patient (5.6%) experienced a 30-day perioperative complication (pulmonary embolism). Median LOS following LSG was 3days (IQR: 2, 3). 2 patients (11.1%) were readmitted within 30-days because of feeding intolerance that resolved without invasive intervention. At a median follow-up of 10.6 (range: 0-38) months, percent excess weight loss (%EWL) among all patients was 35.6%. Among patients with at least 2years follow-up (n=3), %EWL was 50.2%.
Conclusions:
Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in morbidly obese adolescents is a safe and feasible option. Short- and long-term weight loss appears to be successful following LSG. As such, LSG should be strongly considered as a primary surgical treatment option for all morbidly obese adolescents.
Level Of Evidence:
Level IV.
