Current trends in bariatric surgery in patients older than 65 years in Poland

Abstract

<b><br>Introduction:</b> It is already known that bariatric surgery can improve the health and quality of life of morbidly obese patients of all ages. Our population is getting older. That is why the number of bariatric surgeries among obese people over 65 years of age is systematically increasing.</br> <b><br>Aims:</b> The study aims to analyze the management of patients over 65 years of age in Polish bariatric centers.</br> <b><br>Material and methods:</b> The study was conducted on representatives from the 30 largest bariatric departments in Poland. By collecting surveys, we aimed to analyze changes in qualifications for surgery and care for elderly patients.</br> <b><br>Results:</b> 13 of 30 (43.3%) representatives responded to the survey. The remaining centers did not qualify patients over 65 years old for the surgical treatment of obesity. The mean percentage of patients over 65 who underwent bariatric surgery was 2.75. Most representatives (69.2%) chose SG as the procedure of choice in patients over 65 years of age. According to 84.6% of surgeons, age did not matter when qualifying patients over 65 years of age for BS. The majority of surgeons (53.8%) believed that bariatric surgery in older patients was comparable to the one in younger patients. Nine (69.2%) surgeons believed that there should be no age limit for bariatric surgery.</br> <b><br>Conclusions:</b> Only almost half of the bariatric centers in Poland perform operations on patients over 65 years of age. Most Polish surgeons claim that operations on older and on younger patients have comparable benefits, and that there is no need for age limit.</br>