Best practice updates for surgical care in weight loss surgery.

To update evidence-based best practice guidelines for surgical care in weight loss surgery (WLS). Systematic search of English-language literature on WLS in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library between April 2004 and May 2007. Use of key words to narrow the search for a selective review of abstracts, retrieval of full articles, and grading of evidence according to systems used in established evidence-based models. Evidence-based best practice recommendations from the most recent literature on surgical methods and technologies, risks and benefits, outcomes, and surgeon qualifications and credentialing. We identified >135 articles; the 65 most relevant were reviewed in detail. Regular updates of evidence-based recommendations for best practices in WLS are required to address rapid changes in surgical techniques and patient demographics. Key factors in patient safety include surgical risk factors, type of procedure, surgeon training, and facility certification.