Beneficial Outcomes of Sleeve Gastrectomy in a Morbidly Obese Patient With Bardet-Biedl Syndrome

Context Severe obesity is one of the major features of Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) and causes reduced life expectancy. Bariatric surgery is an effective treatment of morbid obesity. Data on the effect of bariatric surgery for monogenic obesity is essentially lacking. We present the clinical and metabolic 3-year follow-up of sleeve gastrectomy in a BBS patient. Case Description A 37-year-old obese woman with BBS (body mass index, 40 kg/m2) was referred to our clinic for uncontrolled diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). After sleeve gastrectomy, progressive weight loss was observed, with a 32% total weight loss at 3-year follow-up. Glycemic control and NAFLD improved significantly. Blood pressure normalized, and treatment was discontinued 3 months after surgery. Conclusions Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy can be a safe and effective treatment of morbid BBS-related obesity in adult patients. Significant and sustained weight loss leads to the improvement of several obesity-related comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, and NAFLD, as in polygenic obesity. Further data are needed to confirm the long-term efficacy and safety of bariatric surgery in BBS.