Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy as first-line surgical treatment for morbid obesity among adolescents

Abstract 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 21 years 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 ± 1.7 years. Mean BMI among all patients was 48.6 ± 7.2 kg/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 3 days (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 2 years 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.