Preoperative preparation for patients with nutritional disorders

Area of Science:

• Anesthesiology
• Nutritional Science
• Internal Medicine

Background:

• Eating disorders, ranging from obesity to anorexia, are increasingly prevalent.
• Patients with these conditions exhibit significant pathophysiological changes across multiple organ systems.
• These changes are exacerbated by the duration of the disorder and often necessitate drug treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the complex physiological alterations in patients with eating disorders.
• To emphasize the critical need for comprehensive preoperative assessment and optimization.
• To address the potential impact of medications on anesthetic management.

Main Methods:

• Review of pathophysiological changes associated with various eating disorders.
• Analysis of effects on cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, and coagulation systems.
• Consideration of drug therapies, including psychiatric and symptomatic treatments.

Main Results:

• Significant alterations in cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, and coagulation functions are common.
• Drug treatments, both psychiatric and for other symptoms, are frequently employed.
• Preoperative preparation must be thorough to address all identified physiological disturbances.

Conclusions:

• Patients with eating disorders present unique challenges for anesthesia and surgery.
• Meticulous preoperative optimization and careful consideration of drug interactions are essential for patient safety.
• Addressing all organ system changes and medication effects is paramount for successful surgical outcomes.