OUTCOME OF BARIATRIC SURGERY IN SAUDI ARABIA: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW.

Introduction: Obesity is a public health threat in Saudi Arabia and correlates directly to cardiovascular diseases, metabolic disorders and cancer. Step wise approach including life style interventions, diet and pharmacological therapies are effective means to control obesity. However, still there is a need for surgical intervention in specific cases that have been outlined recently in Saudi guidelines for preventions and management of Obesity. Objective: The aim of this systematic review is to appraise results of different bariatric surgeries in terms of weight reduction and complication rates as reported in literatures. Methodology: A systematic search of published literature that has addressed bariatric surgeries in Saudi Arabia was carried out via the internet, using the medical database MEDLINE/PubMed. Out of 80 articles retrieved and reviewed by authors, only 20 articles matched the filtering criteria excluding case reports studies or none original papers. Finally, at the end selection process, articles were examined in detail. Results: For more than 25 years, bariatric surgeries have been practiced including both restrictive and malabsorption strategies. Significant reduction in body weight, BMI and Excess weight loss have been reported in different trials. The risks associated with such interventions include both metabolic, procedure-related complications, hormonal disturbances and malabsorption. However, the long-term experience derived extended follow up together with guidance of scientific bodies maximized benefits and reduced risks. Conclusion: Extended experience in bariatric surgery with long term patient monitoring up to 5 years indicate that bariatric surgery is a very useful approach when practiced within the framework of international and local guidelines.