Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy for Late Adolescent Population

Nutrient Deficiency After Bariatric Surgery in Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

This systematic review and meta-analysis study aimed to estimate changes in blood nutrient concentrations and nutrient deficiencies in adolescents following bariatric surgery.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, Scopus, and the Web of Science to find studies published between January 2000 and August 2023. Observational studies reporting the mean blood concentration of nutrients before and after bariatric surgery or the proportion of nutrient deficiencies after the surgery in healthy adolescents were selected.

RESULTS

Fifteen studies were included. Gastric bypass and sleeve gastrostomy were the most common types of surgery. Vitamin D, iron, or ferritin, vitamin B12, calcium, and folic acid were the most studied nutrients, respectively. Other nutrients examined in the studies included zinc, phosphorus, and albumin. The serum ferritin increased by 21 mcg/L (95% CI = 10.0, 32.0 mcg/L) after the surgery, but there were no significant alterations in other nutrients. The postoperative prevalence of low albumin, ferritin, vitamin D, and vitamin B12 levels was 10%, 49%, 41%, and 20%, respectively. Also, 23% had an iron deficiency, and 10% had a calcium deficiency after bariatric surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

The serum ferritin level increased following bariatric surgery in adolescents. Vitamin D and ferritin deficiencies were estimated to be present in more than one-third of adolescents after the surgery.

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy for obesity treatment in adolescents and young adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The incidence of obesity has been increasing in younger population, posing a significant impact on adolescents' life and health care system worldwide.

METHODS

We critically analyzed the existing literature on the use of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) for the treatment of obesity. We performed an in-depth evaluation of 37 studies and analyzed the effect of LSG in 2300 patients, aged ≤ 22 years.

RESULTS

Mean body mass index (BMI) loss after LSG was 17.81 kg/m2. Gastroesophageal reflux was the most common complication. Most of the patients showed remission of comorbidities including hypertension, diabetes, and obstructive sleep apnea after LSG.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that surgical intervention is highly beneficial for reducing BMI in appropriately selected adolescents and young adults suffering from obesity and comorbidities such as life-threatening obstructive sleep apnea.

Long-term weight loss after bariatric procedures for morbidly obese adolescents and youth: a single-institution analysis with up to 19-year follow-up

BACKGROUND

Obesity is a public health concern among adolescents and young adults. Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment for morbid obesity and has been increasingly utilized in young patients. Long-term outcomes data for bariatric surgery in this age group are limited.

METHODS

This is a single-institution, prospective analysis of 167 patients aged 15-24 years who underwent one of three laparoscopic bariatric procedures between 2001 and 2019: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB, n = 71), adjustable gastric banding (LAGB, n = 22), and sleeve gastrectomy (LSG, n = 74). Longitudinal weight and body mass index (BMI) measurements were compared to evaluate patterns of weight loss.

RESULTS

All operations were completed laparoscopically using the same clinical pathways. Patients were predominantly female (82.6%), had a median age of 22.0 [Q1-Q3 20.0-23.0] years, and had a mean presurgical BMI of 48.5 ± 6.5 kg/m² (range 38.4-68.1 kg/m²). All procedures produced significant weight loss by 1 year, peak weight loss by 2 years, and modest weight regain after 5 years. Mean percent weight/BMI losses at 5 years for LRYGB, LAGB, and LSG were - 36.7 ± 10.8%, - 14.5 ± 15.3%, and - 25.1 ± 13.4%, respectively (p < 0.001). LRYGB patients were most likely to achieve ≥ 25% weight loss at 1, 3, and 5 years and maintained significant average weight loss for more than 15 years after surgery. Reoperations were procedure-specific, with LAGB, LRYGB, and LSG having the highest, middle, and lowest reoperation rates, respectively (40.9% vs. 16.9% vs. 5.4%, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

All procedures provided significant and durable weight loss. LRYGB patients achieved the best and most sustained weight loss. LSG patients experienced second-best weight loss between 1 and 5 years, with lowest chance of reoperation. LAGB patients had the least weight loss and the highest reoperation rate. Compared to other factors, type of bariatric procedure was independently predictive of successful weight loss over time. More studies with long-term follow-up are needed.

Nutritional Deficiencies Among Adolescents Before and After Sleeve Gastrectomy: First Study with 9-Year Follow-up

BACKGROUND

Globally, only two studies appraised the long-term nutritional status of adolescents after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG).

METHODS

Retrospective chart review of all adolescents aged ≤ 18 years who underwent LSG with ≥ 5 years follow-up and had no subsequent revisional surgery (N = 146). We assessed 15 nutritional parameters preoperatively and at 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 years post surgery.

RESULTS

Mean age was 16.51 ± 1.29 years, 51% were males. We identified three patterns: 1) Significant worsening of preoperative deficiencies: 4.7% and 0.8% of the sample exhibited zinc and vitamin B12 deficiencies, worsening to 20.8% and 12.8% at 1 year, respectively. Likewise, 0.7% of the sample had low total protein, worsening to 8.3% at year 3. A total of 32.4% of females had preoperative low hemoglobin worsening to 57.9% at year 5. 2) Significant improvement: the percentage of males with preoperative low hemoglobin (5.6%) was reduced to 4.1% and 5.1% at years 1 and 3, respectively. 3) Persistent deficiency: all (100%) of adolescents had preoperative vitamin D deficiency that persisted through years 3 and 9 at 90.5% and 100%, respectively. The most common complications were food intolerance (51%), vomiting (47.5%), gastritis/ esophagitis (35.7%), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (20.3%). We observed one case of Wernicke's encephalopathy. Across the 9 years, 15.4% of the adolescents underwent intra-abdominal surgeries where 12.6% had cholecystectomy and one patient had appendectomy.

CONCLUSION

Adolescents had several preoperative nutritional deficiencies, most of which worsened or persisted on the long term. This is the first study among adolescents to assess such deficiencies beyond 5 years.

Impact of Baseline BMI and Adherence to Follow-Up on the Outcome of Sleeve Gastrectomy in Treatment of Adolescent Obesity

BACKGROUND

Adolescent obesity is considered a public health challenge. Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) may be considered a safe option for treatment of adolescent obesity. This study aimed to assess the outcomes of SG in treatment of severe obesity in adolescents, with emphasis on the impact of baseline body mass index (BMI) and adherence to follow-up.

METHODS

This was a single-center retrospective cohort study on adolescents with severe obesity who underwent SG at a tertiary referral bariatric center. The main outcome measures were weight loss, improvement in comorbidities at 12 months postoperatively, and complications.

RESULTS

A total of 72 adolescent patients (47 female) of a mean BMI of 47.9 ± 7.1 kg/푚² were enrolled in the study. The mean %TWL was 34.94 ± 9.35 and the mean %EWL was 73.47 ± 22.12. Complete remission was recorded in all patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), pre-DM, and sleep apnea, in 80% of patients with hypertension, and 57% of patients with hypothyroidism. The long-term complication rate after SG was 18%. Patients with higher preoperative BMI had significantly (p = 0.018) lower %EWL at 1 year.

CONCLUSION

SG is an effective and safe surgical procedure for adolescents with severe obesity. It was associated with a significant weight loss, high comorbidity remission rates, and no mortality or serious complications. Lower baseline BMI and better adherence to follow-up were associated with better outcome of SG.

Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy for Adolescents Under 18 Years Old with Severe Obesity

INTRODUCTION

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is a widely accepted stand-alone bariatric operation. Data on adolescent patients undergoing LSG are limited. The aim of this study was to demonstrate that LSG is safe and effective for patients strictly under 18 years old with severe obesity.

METHODS

Prospectively collected data from consecutive patients undergoing LSG were retrospectively analyzed. Patients with more than 1-year follow-up were included in the analysis for weight loss and comorbidity evaluation. Quality of life (QoL) was evaluated using the Short-Form 36 questionnaire.

RESULTS

Eighty-four patients under 18 years old (range: 15-17 years) underwent LSG. Median weight was 128 kg and median body mass index (BMI) 43.7 kg/m². Median duration of surgery was 68.5 min. One major complication was recorded: a patient developed severe pneumonia that necessitated ventilatory support in intensive care unit and intravenous antibiotic treatment. Mortality was null. Median length of hospital stay was 4 days. Six, 12, and 24 months after LSG, median BMI decreased significantly to 34.3, 29.8, and 28.8 kg/m², respectively (p < 0.001), with a mean percentage of total body weight loss of 29.1% at 2 years. Obesity-related comorbidities improved at 1 year, while all SF-36 scale scores of QoL assessment improved significantly.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that LSG is safe and effective for patients under 18 years old, resulting in significant weight loss, comorbidity remission, and QoL improvement. Careful patient selection after adequate risk versus benefit evaluation by an expert multidisciplinary team is essential.

Gastrointestinal symptoms in relation to quality of life after metabolic surgery in adolescents

BACKGROUND

Adolescent obesity is associated with significant co-morbidities, including decreased quality of life (QOL). QOL improves after metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS), but recent studies have demonstrated that certain gastrointestinal symptoms (GIS) worsen after surgery, including reflux symptoms, nausea, bloating, and diarrhea.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate QOL and the effect of these symptoms on QOL after bariatric surgery.

SETTING

Five academic centers that perform adolescent MBS in the United States.

METHODS

We prospectively studied 228 adolescents undergoing MBS using the Teen-Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery cohort. GIS and QOL scores were assessed before surgery, at 6 months, and yearly to 5 years after surgery. Analysis involved linear models examining QOL and the association between GIS and QOL adjusting for a priori determined covariates.

RESULTS

Adjusting for body mass index change over time, the physical component score (PCS) of the Short Form-36 (SF-36) increased after surgery from 44.2 at baseline to 54.4 at 5 years (P < .0001). The mental component score did not significantly change over time. The SF-36 domains that showed the biggest increase after surgery were physical functioning, physical role functioning, and general health. The SF-36 PCS decreased significantly over time post surgery in those with GIS of reflux, nausea, and diarrhea but remained higher than baseline SF-36 PCS. There was no statistically significant change in mental component score or impact of weight on quality of life-KIDS scores in those with or without GIS.

CONCLUSION

QOL, specifically the SF-36 PCS, increases after MBS. Reflux symptoms, nausea, and diarrhea reduce the degree of improvement in QOL in adolescents after MBS. Patients should be monitored and treated for these symptoms to address this decreased QOL.

Comparative Effectiveness of Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding vs Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy in Adolescents-a National Registry-Based Study

OBJECTIVE

Most published work on bariatric surgery (BS) in adolescents describes outcomes after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) or Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. We compared the efficacy of LAGB and laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) in adolescents.

METHODS

A National Bariatric Registry was queried for adolescents who underwent BS between June 2013 and December 2015. We collected data on weight and height at baseline and 1-year following surgery, subsequent hospitalizations, interventions, and mortality, which were compared at 30 days post-surgery and until last follow-up (maximum 4.2 years post-surgery). Mortality and hospitalization data were extracted from national databases.

RESULTS

Two hundred fifty-nine adolescents (60% females) aged 12-19 years were included. Mean age and body mass index (BMI) were 17.5 ± 1.2 years and 45.1 ± 5.0 kg/m², respectively. LSG (n = 227, 87.6%) and LAGB (n = 32, 12.4%) were the most common procedures performed. LSG group achieved greater average at 1 year BMI loss compared to LAGB group (15.4 ± 4.7 kg/m² vs. 10.3 ± 5.1 kg/m² respectively; p = 0.0001) and higher rate with BMI < 30 kg/m² 1 year post-surgery (57.7% (n = 131) vs. 25% (n = 8), respectively; p = 0.0005). Males who underwent LSG reduced BMI more than their female counterparts (p = 0.0001), LSG was the strongest independent predictor for BMI < 30 after 1 year (OR = 4.1; 95% CI 1.7-9.9) followed by age (OR = 1.3; 95% CI1.0-1.6). No mortality was observed. Postoperative hospitalizations between the two groups did not differ (hazard ratio 2.4; 95% CI 0.7-7.9; p = 0.1).

CONCLUSION

Compared to LAGB, LSG is superior regarding weight loss with a similar risk of short- and long-term hospitalizations, complications, and interventional procedures. Males lose more weight following LSG.

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in adolescents with or without syndromic obesity: two years follow-up

INTRODUCTION

Childhood obesity is an emerging health problem. Surgical treatment of obese adolescents, particularly those affected by congenital syndrome, represents a controversial issue. The aim of this multicenter study was to retrospectively assess the results of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) in a cohort of adolescents affected by morbid obesity, with or without congenital syndromes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty-one obese (BMI 49 ± 6 kg/m²) adolescents with mean age of 16 ± 3 years (58.5% with previous intragastric balloon failure), and subjected to LSG, were retrospectively evaluated for complications rate, % excess weight loss (%EWL), and inhibition of co-morbidities after 2 years of follow-up.

RESULTS

All the operations were completed laparoscopically and no intra-operative complications were recorded. No mortality was recorded while peri- or post-operative complications only occurred in two patients (4.9%). The EWL% at 6, 12, and 24 months were 42.3, 58.3, and 59.4, respectively. %EWL was comparable (p = 0.7) between non-syndromic and syndromic obese adolescents at 24 months. Conversely patients with previous intragastric balloon surgery had a significant lower EWL (%) at 24 month (p < 0.01). Moreover, at the same time point, co-morbidity resolution rate was 78.2% while improvement rate was 57.6%. Specifically, remission rate of type 2 diabetes (T2DM), hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) were 71, 75 and 61%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

LSG is advantageous in the treatment of morbidly obese juveniles concerning safety, weight loss and co-morbidity control and at same time presenting, a possible effective therapeutic option for patients affected by congenital syndrome.

Perioperative Course, Weight Loss and Resolution of Comorbidities After Primary Sleeve Gastrectomy for Morbid Obesity: Are There Differences Between Adolescents and Adults?

BACKGROUND

Morbid obesity in both adolescents and adults has risen in an alarming rate. Bariatric surgery is playing an increasing role in pediatric surgery. However, current evidence is limited regarding its safety and outcome.

METHODS

Since 2005, data from obese patients that undergo bariatric procedures in Germany are prospectively registered. For the current analysis, all adolescent and adult subjects that had undergone laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) from 2005 to 2014 were considered.

RESULTS

LSG represents the most common bariatric procedure in Germany with a proportion of 48.1% in adolescent and 48.7% in adult obese in 2014. LSG was performed in 362 adolescent and 15,428 adult subjects. Pre-operative BMI was comparable between the two populations. However, adult obese had more frequently coexisting comorbidities (p < 0.01). Complication rates and mortality (0 vs. 0.2%) did not differ significantly. Adolescents achieved a BMI reduction of 16.8 and 18.0 kg/m² at 12 and 24 months compared with 15.4 and 16.6 kg/m² in the adult group. There was a significantly higher BMI reduction in late adolescents (19-21 years) compared with patients ≤18 years at 24 months (19.8 vs. 13.6 kg/m²). Resolution rate of hypertension was significantly higher in adolescents.

CONCLUSION

LSG is a safe therapeutic option that can be performed in adolescents without mortality. Late adolescents experienced the highest weight loss; resolution rate of comorbidities was lower in adults. All future efforts should now be focused on the evaluation of the long-term outcomes of LSG in the pediatric population.

Weight loss after bariatric surgery in obese adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Of adolescents in the United States, 20% have obesity and current treatment options prioritize intensive lifestyle interventions that are largely ineffective. Bariatric surgery is increasingly being offered to obese adolescent patients; however, large-scale effectiveness data is lacking. We used MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane databases, and a manual search of references to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis on overall weight loss after gastric band, gastric sleeve, and gastric bypass in obese adolescent patients (age ≤19) and young adults (age ≤21) in separate analyses. We provided estimates of absolute change in body mass index (BMI, kg/m²) and percent excess weight loss across 4 postoperative time points (6, 12, 24, and 36 mo) for each surgical subgroup. Study quality was assessed using a 10 category scoring system. Data were extracted from 24 studies with 4 having multiple surgical subgroups (1 with 3, and 3 with 2 subgroups), totaling 29 surgical subgroup populations (gastric band: 16, gastric sleeve: 5, gastric bypass: 8), and 1928 patients (gastric band: 1010, gastric sleeve: 139, gastric bypass: 779). Mean preoperative BMI (kg/m²) was 45.5 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 44.7, 46.3) in gastric band, 48.8 (95%CI: 44.9, 52.8) in gastric sleeve, and 53.3 (95%CI: 50.2, 56.4) in gastric bypass patients. The short-term weight loss, measured as mean (95%CI) absolute change in BMI (kg/m²) at 6 months, was -5.4 (-3.0, -7.8) after gastric band, -11.5 (-8.8, -14.2) after gastric sleeve, and -18.8 (-10.9, -26.6) after gastric bypass. Weight loss at 36 months, measured as mean (95%CI) absolute change in BMI (kg/m²) was -10.3 (-7.0, -13.7) after gastric band, -13.0 (-11.0, -15.0) after gastric sleeve, and -15.0 (-13.5, -16.5) after gastric bypass. Bariatric surgery in obese adolescent patients is effective in achieving short-term and sustained weight loss at 36 months; however, long-term data remains necessary to better understand its long-term efficacy.

Evaluation and Treatment of Severe Obesity in Childhood

Pediatric obesity is highly prevalent in developed countries globally (and worsening in developing countries) and threatens to shorten the lifespan of the current generation. At highest risk for weight-related comorbidities including Type 2 diabetes mellitus, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and dyslipidemia is a sub-set of children with severe obesity, often defined as a body mass index (BMI) percentile ≥99^th percentile for age and sex. The pathophysiology of severe obesity in childhood is complex, resulting from the dynamic interplay of a myriad of individual and societal factors including genetic predisposition and health behaviors contributing to energy imbalance. Approximately 4–6% of children have severe obesity, representing a common scenario encountered by providers, and intervention is critical to halt ongoing weight gain and, when possible, reverse the trend. Clinical approaches promoting behavioral weight loss may result in modest, albeit clinically significant, reductions in BMI; however, such changes are often difficult to maintain long-term. Data regarding the impact of targeted pharmacotherapy including agents such as orlistat are limited in the pediatric population and again only suggest modest results. However, increasing evidence suggest that surgical treatment, as an adjunct to ongoing lifestyle changes, may be a promising option in carefully-screened adolescents with severe obesity and weight-related comorbidities who are motivated to adhere to the long-term treatment needs.

Sleeve gastrectomy improves obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS): 5 year longitudinal study

BACKGROUND

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is prevalent among morbidly obese patients. Evaluation of the specific effects of sleeve gastrectomy (SG) on upper airway function has not been reported. Given the possibility that some patients will not respond despite weight loss, no studies have investigated whether other mechanisms may be responsible for persistent OSAS after bariatric surgery.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate by subjective and objective assessment the impact of SG on upper respiratory physiology in the long-term.

SETTING

University Hospital, Division of Bariatric and ENT Surgery, in Italy.

METHODS

Thirty-six consecutive patients with OSAS who underwent laparoscopic SG were prospectively enrolled. The effect of SG on respiratory function and OSAS was followed for 5 years.

RESULTS

All patients completed the 5-year follow-up. A significant (P<.001) improvement in modified Epworth Sleepiness Scale questionnaire (ESS) was obtained in 91.6% (33/36) of patients. The Apnea/Hypopnea index (AHI) improved in 80.6% (29/36) of patients after surgery (from 32.8 ± 1.7 to 5.8 ± 1.2 (P<.001), 4.9 ± 1.7). The remaining 19.4% (7/36) of patients with a positive ESS and/or AHI all had an associated respiratory resistance due to nasal obstructive diseases.

CONCLUSION

SG improved OSAS overall, but patients who did not improve or only partially improved despite weight loss were found to have an associated nasal responsible pathology. How these patients will respond to nasal surgery and whether a 2-step procedure should be recommended for OSAS patients requires further study.

Bariatric surgery in adolescents: what do we know so far?

Introduction:

Obesity represents a vast and rapidly increasing global burden. Bariatric surgery is the only intervention achieving sustained weight loss, among its wide-ranging benefits.

Methods:

In this article, we describe the growing challenges presented by adolescents with severe obesity and review the literature on surgical and other treatment options.

Results:

Outcomes in terms of weight loss, metabolic and quality of life improvement, reversal of obstructive sleep apnea, insulin resistance, type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and dyslipidemia appear comparable to those seen in adults. However, long-term data on safety and sustainability are lacking. There is a growing acceptance of the need for surgery as a treatment for the morbidly obese adolescent population, and the number of studies reporting outcomes after adolescent bariatric surgery is increasing.

Conclusion:

Accumulating evidence suggests that the benefits seen in adult bariatric surgery can be reproduced in adolescents. Thus, adolescent bariatric surgery appears to be safe and effective in achieving benefits desired in terms of weight control and improvements in metabolic health and quality of life. However, particular care must be taken when treating a young population, and long-term outcomes are awaited to properly define indications and limitations.