The rate of inpatient bariatric procedures among adolescents appears to have plateaued since 2003, despite the worsening childhood obesity epidemic. The rate of these procedures per 100,000 increased from 0.8 in 2000 to 2.3 in 2003, but was 2.2 in 2006 and 2.4 in 2009. By 2009, about one-third of all surgeries were laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding. Between 2003 and 2009, complication rates remained low and lengths of stay decreased by approximately 1 day.
Abstract: Archives of Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine, December 17, 2012 (online).
