Efficacy and effects of bariatric surgery in the treatment of obesity: Network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

•Bariatric surgery is recommended for subjects with a BMI over of 40 kg/m2 or with a BMI between 35 and 40 kg/m2 with obesity-related comorbidities.•Our network-meta-analysis includes RCTs comparing different Bariatric Surgery techniques versus Medical Therapy with primary endpoint BMI.•Bariatric Surgery was associated with a significant reduction in BMI when compared to Medical Therapy.•Bariatric Surgery induces a greater improvement of most obesity-associated metabolic parameters.•Available data are insufficient to assess the effect of Bariatric Surgery on mortality. Different procedures are heterogeneous for safety.