Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy for Morbid Obesity in Kuwaiti Adolescents

Background: Bariatric surgery has superior therapeutic outcomes compared with other existing treatments. Our aim was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (SG) in adolescents with obesity. Methods: From February 2012 until March 2018, all adolescents who underwent SG for obesity were analyzed. Demographics were evaluated. The main outcomes measured were change in weight, body mass index (BMI), percentage excess weight loss (%EWL), complications, and reoperations. Results: Twenty-two adolescents (16/6, F/M) underwent SG. Mean age, preoperative weight, and BMI were 16.4 ± 2.1 years, 125.0 ± 30.2 kg, and 45.1 ± 8.1 kg/m2, respectively. The mean duration of operation and hospital stay were 54.7 ± 3.9 min and 2 ± 0 days, respectively. The median follow-up was 9 months. The mean weight loss, BMI loss, and %EWL were 36.4 ± 31.8 kg, 13.8 ± 10.5 kg/m2, and 50.9% ± 27.1%, respectively. One patient developed transient vitamin deficiency due to repeated vomiting. Two patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus had complete remission without medications. Conclusions: SG is effective and safe to treat obesity in adolescents. Further studies are needed to evaluate the long-term effects of SG in adolescents.