title: The role of surgery in the management of obesity.
abstract: This article reviews the role of surgery in the management of obesity. Surgery is discussed in the context of the different approaches to conservative treatment. Although there are no randomised trials, the available data suggest that open surgery is the most effective treatment for severe obesity when offered to carefully selected patients who are managed by a multidisciplinary team, committed to long-term follow-up. Results from ongoing, randomised controlled trials are awaited. Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding is a promising technique which offers the benefits of less invasive surgery, appears to be as effective as open surgery but its diffusion should follow more rigorous evaluation.
authors.affiliation: Upper Gastro-Intestinal Surgical Unit, Department of General Surgery, Auckland Hospital.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Thornley
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Windsor
mesh_terms: D000359:Aftercare / Q000379:methods; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015390:Gastric Bypass / Q000379:methods; D015391:Gastroplasty / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods; D009765:Obesity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D010348:Patient Care Team; D018579:Patient Selection; D016896:Treatment Outcome