Abstract

LOPEZ, Federico  and  HERRERA, Miguel F.. Present role of surgical treatment. Can surgery cure metabolic diseases?. Bol. Med. Hosp. Infant. Mex. [online]. 2008, vol.65, n.6, pp.568-578. ISSN 1665-1146.

There has been a dramatic increase in the prevalence of obesity worldwide in both children and adults. It is well known that obesity leads to an increased risk of complications such as type 2 diabetes and the metabolic syndrome. The prevalence of this syndrome in the obese population of children is 4.2% and it increases up to 50% in morbidly obese adolescents. Bariatric surgery has shown a long lasting excess weight loss of 75%, and a positive impact in the resolution or improvement of many metabolic syndrome parameters. Type 2 diabetes is controlled in 72 to 76% of patients after surgery and it has been recognized that improvement occurs even before a significant weight loss is achieved. An effect on the entero-insular axis has been proposed as a mechanism for metabolic control. Based on the dramatic impact of bariatric surgery on the metabolic syndrome, some authors have proposed to perform bariatric surgery in patients with type 2 diabetes and a BMI <35 kg/m². Indications for bariatric surgery have been extended to adolescents and some specific guidelines have been developed.

Keywords : Surgery; bariatric; metabolic disease; obesity.