Long-Term Outcomes of Sleeve Gastrectomy in Adolescents: Seven-Year Follow-Up

Overview

This seven-year follow-up study of 63 adolescents undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) demonstrated sustained significant weight loss and high rates of comorbidity resolution. The procedure showed a favorable safety profile with low complication rates and improvements in metabolic parameters.

Background

Adolescent obesity is a critical public health issue linked to multiple comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea. Bariatric surgery, particularly laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, has emerged as an effective intervention for severely obese adolescents when conventional treatments fail. Long-term data on LSG in this population remain limited, especially regarding psychological outcomes and sustained efficacy. This study aimed to evaluate weight loss and comorbidity resolution over seven years following LSG in adolescents.

Data Highlights

Key Findings

• Significant and sustained weight loss was observed over the 7-year follow-up, measured by BMI, %EWL, %TWL, and %EBMIL.
• High rates of complete remission were noted for type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, obstructive sleep apnea, and gastroesophageal reflux disease.
• Complication rates were low, with only 7.9% experiencing adverse events including one staple line leak managed endoscopically.
• Preoperative unsuccessful medical weight management was common, highlighting the need for surgical intervention in this cohort.
• Metabolic improvements included normalization of HbA1c levels and blood pressure without pharmacologic therapy in resolved cases.

Clinical Implications

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is a safe and effective long-term treatment option for morbidly obese adolescents, leading to durable weight loss and resolution of obesity-related comorbidities. Early surgical intervention should be considered when conventional medical management fails, with multidisciplinary follow-up to monitor and manage potential complications.

Conclusion

This study supports LSG as a viable long-term intervention for adolescent obesity, demonstrating sustained efficacy in weight reduction and comorbidity resolution with an acceptable safety profile over seven years.

References

1. Almalki et al. 2023 -- Long-Term Outcomes of Sleeve Gastrectomy in Adolescents