Treating hypothalamic morbid obesity with laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) in patient with craniopharyngioma

Aim-BackgroundObesity due to hypothalamic dysfunction is a severe medical situation that lacks an established treatment in the present protocol.MethodsIn the present article, we describe the case of a 29-year-old patient with a medical history of surgical resection of craniopharyngioma at the age of 8 years. She presented to our department with hypothalamic dysfunction and hypothalamic-related obesity without neurologic symptoms. After reviewing the literature up to September 2012, we identified five such cases that were subjected to surgical treatment involving a gastric bypass with similar results to those of our case.ResultsThe patient underwent a LRYGB. The postoperative course was uneventful, and 2 years after the operation, the patient presents a significant weight loss, as well as diminished concomitant disorders.ConclusionsIt is concluded that gastric bypass procedures offer a reliable and efficient treatment choice in cases of hypothalamic-related obesity.