Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is effective and safe treatment in Thai adolescent morbid obesity patients.

Suriya Punchai, MD, FRCST¹, Jakrapan Wittayapairoj, MD, FRCST¹, Krisada Paonariang, MD, FRCST¹, Kriangsak Jenwithisuk, MD, FRCST¹, O-tur Saeseaw, MD, FRCST¹, Suthep Udomsawaengsup, MD, FRCST², Chaiyut Thanapaisal, MD, FRCST¹. ¹Khon Kaen University, Thailand, ²Chulalongkorn University

Introduction: Obesity is a worldwide epidemic and the prevalence is rapidly increasing among adolescents too. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy(LSG) is effective treatment for morbid obesity in term of long term sustained weight loss and improvement comorbidity diseases. But bariatric surgery in adolescent patients is controversial. This study aims to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in adolescent morbid obesity patients.

Method: A retrospective study was conducted of patients aged 15-18 who underwent LSG from July 2012 to August 2014 at Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kean, Thailand. Collected data included age, sex, BMI, postoperative complications, percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL) at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year and 2 years postoperatively and resolution of comorbidity diseases.

Results: 11 patients with median age of 17 years (range; 15-18) underwent LSG. Of these, 4 were females and 7 were males. The mean preoperative body weight was 143.3 kg (range; 90-233) with a body mass index (BMI) of 50.9 (range; 35.2-74.1). No postoperative complication and mortality were recorded. The % EWL at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year and 2 years was 26.67%, 44.71%, 53.93%, 63.15% and 64.35%, respectively. There were 8 patients (72.7%) with comorbidity diseases: 8 cases of sleep apnea, 3 cases of diabetes, 3 cases of hypertension and 3 cases of dyslipidemia. The resolution rate of sleep apnea is 87.5%.The resolution rate of diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidemia are 100%.

Conclusion: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is safe and effective bariatric procedure in Thai adolescent morbid obesity patients. It can significantly weight loss and resolution of comorbidity diseases.