Surgery and Minimally Invasive Devices for the Treatment of Obesity in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Childhood obesity is a global health challenge linked to metabolic, cardiovascular, and psychosocial complications. While lifestyle interventions represent the key strategy for obesity management, metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) has emerged as a therapeutic option for severe obesity. This systematic review with meta-analysis assessed the effectiveness and safety of MBS and weight management devices in children and adolescents.

Methods: We included randomized and prospective controlled cohort studies assessing MBS or weight management devices in children and adolescents with obesity, searching PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov, and WHO International Clinical Trials Registry through January 2025. Critical outcomes included body mass index (BMI) and weight reduction, adverse events, and incidence or severity of obesity-related outcomes.

Results: Seven studies (three RCTs and four non-RCTs), all involving adolescents undergoing MBS, were included. No studies evaluated children or devices. Meta-analysis showed that compared with lifestyle intervention, MBS reduced BMI by 11.7 kg/m² (95% CI: -13.2 to -10.1; two RCTs, n = 100) and 14.5 kg/m² (95% CI: -15.7 to -13.3; three non-RCTs, n = 307), and weight by 20.9% (95% CI: -23.6 to -18.1; three RCTs, n = 152) and 31.2% (95% CI: -34.3 to -28.0; two non-RCTs, n = 173). Certainty of evidence was low. One non-RCT comparing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy found similar outcomes. Both RCTs and non-RCTs reported improvements in obesity-related outcomes.

Conclusions: Although MBS leads to substantial weight loss and health benefits in adolescents, the risk of complications underscores the need for careful patient selection, surgical expertise, and comprehensive postoperative care.

Trial registration: PROSPERO registration: CRD42023438469.