Bariatric surgery in the management of childhood obesity: should there be an age limit?
We report a case of a 6-year-old girl suffering from morbid obesity, Blount;s disease, and significant social and functional impairment who underwent a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. One year later, she has shown remarkable improvement in all aspects of her health emphasizing the success of the procedure. A follow-up laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or biliopancreatic diversion (BPD) are options if she regains weight as she gets older. This case is noteworthy for several reasons. The age of the patient is younger than any currently on record who has had this treatment. Additionally, the utilization of a sleeve gastrectomy as a first-step procedure, to be followed by Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or BPD, remains a novel treatment for morbid obesity in a pediatric population.
Dan
Dilip
D
Department of Surgery, San Fernando General Hospital, San Fernando, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. dilipdan5@gmail.com
Harnanan
Dave
D
Seetahal
Shiva
S
Naraynsingh
Vijay
V
Teelucksingh
Surujpal
S
D050110:Bariatric Surgery / Q000592:standards*; D002648:Child; D015897:Comorbidity; D000075202:Contraindications; D005260:Female; D005743:Gastrectomy / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D016916:Joint Deformities, Acquired / Q000453:epidemiology; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D018579:Patient Selection; D010551:Personality