Ethics of Bariatric Surgery in Adolescence and Its Implications for Clinical Practice

Valentina Martinelli (), Simran Singh, Pierluigi Politi, Riccardo Caccialanza, Andrea Peri, Andrea Pietrabissa and Matteo Chiappedi
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Valentina Martinelli: Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Simran Singh: Medway Hospital, Windmill Rd, Gillingham ME7 5NY, UK
Pierluigi Politi: Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Riccardo Caccialanza: Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics Unit, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo Foundation, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Andrea Peri: Department of Surgery, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo Foundation, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Andrea Pietrabissa: Department of Surgery, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo Foundation, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Matteo Chiappedi: Vigevano Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, ASST Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 2, 1-11

Abstract: Obesity is increasingly prevalent among adolescents. Clinical and research data support the use of bariatric surgery (BS) as a treatment option for severely obese adolescents, with good results in terms of weight loss, improvement or resolution of comorbidities, and compliance to follow up. Nevertheless, concerns still remain, with significant disparities among countries and ethical concerns mainly raised by performing an irreversible and invasive procedure in adolescence, with potential life-long alterations. In this context, the purpose of this narrative review was to discuss the main current ethical challenges in performing BS in adolescence and to inform appropriate clinical management in the field. The core ethical principles of autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice were revised in terms of patient-centered healthcare through the lens of psychosocial implications. The review concludes with a discussion regarding the potential directives for future research for effective, patient-centered, and ethical management of obesity in the adolescent population.

Keywords: adolescent obesity; pediatric bariatric surgery; sleeve gastrectomy; ethics; psychosocial outcomes (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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