Background and objectives: The incidence of morbid obesity has significantly increased in recent years, especially in developed countries. Excellent results of the surgical treatment of such condition have raised the interest in the anesthetic management of such patients. This study aimed at emphasizing critical issues for anesthesiologists dealing with morbidly obese patients.
Contents: Cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine and metabolic changes have been frequently associated to obesity and may cause significant clinical repercussions in the perioperative period of such patients. Some practical anesthetic issues are discussed in this review.
Conclusions: In addition to emphasizing most significant and frequent complications and their prevention, the importance of PEEP and adequate tidal volumes is also highlighted.