Outcomes of bariatric surgery in Adolescents: A meta-analysis comparing three surgical techniques

Metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) is used for managing obesity. Herein, we conducted the first meta-analysis directly comparing the three most performed MBS procedures among adolescents. Fourteen studies, comprising 13,994 patients, and comparing outcomes between at least two of laparoscopic gastric bypass (RYGB), laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (SG), and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (AGB) in adolescents (age ≤21 years), were included. On subgroup analyses, SG (MD: -15.95 ​kg; -13.76 ​%) and RYGB (MD: -23.86 ​kg; -11.36 ​%) demonstrated a significantly greater absolute change in weight and percentage change in BMI than AGB, respectively. RYGB demonstrated a significantly greater absolute (MD: -1.68 ​kg/m) and percentage change in BMI (MD: -3.01 ​%) than SG. However, it was associated with a greater risk of post-operative complications than both SG (RR: 2.09) and AGB (RR: 3.51). Our meta-analysis shows that while RYGB is the most effective bariatric procedure for weight loss in adolescents, SG is much safer.