Sleeve gastrectomy is feasible in obese patients with phenylketonuria: A case report and literature review

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Patients with phenylketonuria (PKU) exhibit a high incidence of obesity. Currently, bariatric surgery remains the most effective long-term treatment for obese patients. However, limited data regarding the applicability of bariatric surgery to obese patients with PKU have been reported in the literature. CASE PRESENTATION: A case involving a young woman, in whom sleeve gastrectomy was performed to manage obesity that was resistant to conservative therapy, is presented herein. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: The present report is the first to describe sleeve gastrectomy in an obese patient with PKU. The surgery proceeded without complications. Furthermore, the patient's phenylalanine levels remained under control for the first 3 months after surgery, with no major neurological complications. The diet prescribed in the first few months after surgery is complex; nevertheless, it is feasible to follow if supervised by a dietary team specialised in rare metabolic diseases. CONCLUSION: Bariatric surgery in this patient with PKU did not result in any major complications. Surgery is feasible but it is important for the dietetic team involved to have expertise in PKU management.