The role of surgery in the management of obesity
Thornley, S.J.; Windsor, J.A.
New Zealand Medical Journal 111(1078): 445-448
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0028-8446 PMID: 9891562 Document Number: 487513
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.