The Sleeve Gastrectomy in Adolescents

The obesity in children and adolescent (2–19 years old) is measured by growth charts to determine age- and sex-specific body mass index (BMI). Having a BMI ≥ 95th percentile is defined as obesity. Approximately 18.5% of youth in the U.S. are obese, while 8.5% of those are categorized as severely obese (BMI ≥ 120% of the 95th percentile); representing approximately 4.5 million children. Children with obesity have a significantly higher risk of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and coronary artery disease when they become obese adults. The risk decreases significantly if the child is non-obese by adulthood. Bariatric surgery (BS), has proven its effectiveness in treating obese children. Recently, the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) has issued the paediatric metabolic and bariatric surgery guidelines which recommended sleeve gastrectomy (SG) as the best option for this population. In this chapter we will discus the eligibility, procedure steps, nutritional care, psychological concerns, and outcomes following sleeve gastrectomy in adolescents.