[Bariatric surgery in adolescents]

Abstract

The increased prevalence of obesity in children and adolescents is becoming a public health problem. As in adults, obesity is associated with other comorbidities and their risks. This systematic review aims to summarize the implications of morbid obesity in adolescents, and identify the currently accepted treatments for its management. Various treatments such as lifestyle changes, drug therapy, and surgery are the classical therapeutic triad. This review attempts to clarify the role of each of the major treatments in terms of safety and efficacy. Although obesity surgery in adolescents remains controversial for some aspects, there is evidence that the lack of effective treatment can lead to serious medical consequences in the future. Gastric bypass and gastric banding techniques remain of choice, but the role of other currently more popular techniques, such as sleeve gastrectomy should be clarified.