Complicaciones tempranas de la cirugía bariátrica

Abstract

Bariatric surgery is the most effective intervention for treating morbid obesity, a chronic metabolic disease that has reached epidemic proportions worldwide. Characterized by a significant increase in prevalence and occurring at increasingly younger ages, morbid obesity often does not respond adequately to traditional or pharmacological weight-loss methods, making bariatric surgery crucial for patients with a BMI ≥40 kg/m², a BMI ≥35 with comorbidities, or a BMI between 30–35 kg/m² when non-surgical treatments have failed. This surgical procedure modifies the anatomy of the gastrointestinal tract. It not only reduces gastric capacity but also alters absorption, either by reducing the functional surface area or by modifying the neuroendocrine axis, thereby limiting the amount of food that can be consumed and metabolized. The main objective is to achieve sustained long-term weight loss, along with resolution or significant improvement of associated conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. Despite its obvious benefits, bariatric surgery carries inherent risks, with early complications being a significant concern. These include systemic complications, such as thromboembolic and cardiovascular events, which may have serious consequences if not promptly treated. Anastomotic leaks, for example, are a critical complication that can prolong hospital stays and require additional surgical interventions for resolution.