Review of the results of medical and surgical treatment of morbid obesity
Csendes, A.; Burdiles, P.; Papapietro, K.; Burgos, A.María.
Revista medica de Chile 137(4): 559-566
2009
ISSN/ISBN: 0034-9887 PMID: 19623424 Document Number: 631226
This is a review of publications comparing the results of medical and surgical treatment of morbid obesity. An overall conclusions is that the frequency of cardiovascular complications or cancer is higher among patients receiving medical treatment. Surgical treatment is associated with a better weight loss, reduction in complications and quality of life. Mortality risk decreases significantly after surgical treatment, when compared with patients receiving medical therapy Therefore, management of morbid obesity should be carried out by multidisciplinary teams with experience on gastrointestinal surgery. In this way the complications and mortality of bariatric surgery would be minimized.