POSTOPERATIVE COMPLICATIONS IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING BARIATRIC SURGERY: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Abstract

Obesity is a chronic condition with high prevalence and morbidity and mortality. Bariatric surgery has become the main treatment for severe obesity, but despite its effectiveness, it is not without risks, registering postoperative complications in different clinical contexts. This study aims to identify, analyze, and discuss the main postoperative complications in patients undergoing bariatric surgery through a systematic literature review. The research was conducted in six databases (including PubMed, SciELO, and LILACS). After screening 770 publications and applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 13 articles encompassing national and international investigations were selected. The results indicate that early complications (fistulas, hemorrhages, thromboembolic events) and late complications (nutritional deficiencies, stenoses, internal hernias) remain relevant risks. The comparative analysis showed regional and methodological disparities but converged on the importance of multidisciplinary follow-up. It is concluded that bariatric surgery requires well-structured protocols for the prevention and management of complications. Standardization of multicenter registries and future investigations exploring risk factors and follow-up strategies are recommended.