Gastric bypass for morbid obesity in children and adolescents.

This report reviews 25 patients 20 yr of age or younger who were treated for morbid obesity by gastric bypass or gastroplasty. Eighteen genetically normal obese adolescents averaged 15% body weight loss 6 mo after operation and 25% weight loss 36 mo postoperatively; the eight males lost more weight than did the ten females. Seven younger children had Prader-Willi syndrome; six of them lost weight postoperatively although not so dramatically as the genetically normal obese patients. Four patients required later revisions to reduce the size of the gastric pouch or stoma. These operations were performed with acceptable morbidity and no mortality. Growth in height was not interrupted and no metabolic problems were encountered postoperatively. Gastric bypass is a safe and effective method of controlling body weight in morbidly obese children and adolescents.