Is bariatric surgery effective in the treatment of the neurological motor deficit syndromes?

BACKGROUND

Persons who suffer from neurological motor deficit syndromes, such as multiple sclerosis, postpolio syndrome, cerebral palsy, myotonia or stroke, are at a particular disadvantage if they are also morbidly obese. There appears to be little in the medical literature describing the role of bariatric surgery and the management of these conditions.

METHODS

We offer our experience with six such patients. All had variations of the gastric bypass procedure.

RESULTS

Weight loss was quite good, in comparison to other morbidly obese patients. All six noted improved function, usually dramatically improved.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term weight maintenance and functional improvement cannot be assessed in this group of patients. One should expect difficulty in making a long-term assessment in the presence of a progressing debilitating disease. Short-term results were good, and we believe that bariatric surgery should be offered to these patients on an individual basis.