Perioperative management of the obese surgical patient

The escalation in the prevalence of obesity throughout the world has led to an upsurge in the number of obese surgical patients to whom perioperative care needs to be delivered.

After determining the scope of the review, the authors used PubMed with select phrases encompassing the words in the scope. Both preclinical and clinical reports were considered.

There were no controversies regarding preoperative management and the intraoperative care of the obese surgical patient.

Is there a healthy obese state that gives rise to the obesity paradox regarding postoperative complications?

This review considers how to prepare for and manage the obese surgical patient through the entire spectrum, from preoperative assessment to possible postoperative intensive care.

What results in an obese patient developing 'unhealthy' obesity?