title: The efficacy of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in treating adolescent obesity.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is becoming a popular and preferred primary bariatric intervention; however, its applicability in the adolescent age group remains controversial. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of SG in treating obesity and its co-morbidities among adolescents.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective study was conducted of patients aged 12-21 who underwent SG from 2008 to 2012 at Amiri Hospital, Kuwait. The major outcome measures were percent excess weight loss (%EWL) over a 2-year follow-up period, resolution of co-morbidities, and occurrence of complications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 135 adolescent patients underwent the procedure, of which, 97 (71.9 %) were females. The patients had a median age of 19 years (range 12-21), mean body mass index of 48.5 kg/m(2), and mean follow-up period of 20 ± 11.4 months. The %EWL at 2 years for males and females was 84 and 77 %, respectively. All of the patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and 75 % of those with hypertension showed complete resolution of the disease at 2 years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SG seems to be an effective and safe bariatric procedure in obese adolescents, as it can significantly decrease excess body weight and reduce co-morbidities in a relatively short period of time.
authors: Department of Surgery, Amiri Hospital, Kuwait Ministry of Health, Kuwait, Kuwait.
authors: Salman K
authors: SK
authors: Al-Sabah
authors: Sulaiman M
authors: SM
authors: Almazeedi
authors: Shaimaa A
authors: SA
authors: Dashti
authors: Ahmed Y
authors: AY
authors: Al-Mulla
authors: Daliya AlMohammad
authors: DA
authors: Ali
authors: Talib H
authors: TH
authors: Jumaa
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D015897:Comorbidity; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005743:Gastrectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007730:Kuwait / Q000453:epidemiology; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult