[Physiopathologic problems of obesity related to anesthesia]

Obesity, its complications and its treatment have a great importance for the anesthesiologist. The pathophysiological consequences of obesity involve great part of the organs so that the perioperative management of these subjects may affect surgical outcome. For this reason care should be taken to the peroperative evaluation of the obese patient regarding his pulmonary, metabolic and cardiac function. The anesthesiologist also needs to be aware of intraoperative problems caused by obesity. Recovery in ICU for a short time could be required for the prevention and treatment of post-operative complications.