[Anaesthesia in Adult Patients with Obesity]

Area of Science:

• Anesthesiology
• Obesity Medicine

Background:

• Global obesity prevalence has significantly increased over the last decade.
• This trend necessitates enhanced preparedness for perioperative management of extremely obese patients.
• Obesity presents numerous challenges, including concomitant diseases and equipment/staffing issues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize current knowledge on anesthesia in obese patients.
• To outline future perspectives in managing anesthesia for the obese population.
• To provide an educational review for healthcare professionals.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on anesthesia and obesity.
• Discussion of perioperative challenges and management strategies.
• Focus on airway management, anesthetic agents, and regional anesthesia techniques.

Main Results:

• Obese patients frequently experience airway and breathing problems.
• Regional anesthesia is recommended for both intraoperative and postoperative pain management.
• Short-acting anesthetic agents (desflurane, remifentanil) and CPAP for preoxygenation are suggested for general anesthesia.

Conclusions:

• Hospitals must prepare for the increasing number of anesthetic procedures in obese patients.
• Careful consideration of anesthetic techniques and medications is crucial for patient safety.
• Regional anesthesia offers benefits for obese patients, including improved postoperative pain control.