Airway Management of the Morbidly Obese Patient

Abstract

A UK study found that obese patients are twice as likely as non-obese patients to develop airway problems during general anaesthesia (Cook et al 2011). This article focuses on airway management of morbidly obese patients during anaesthesia and examines the associated respiratory, gastric, and existing co-morbidity complications that can be expected. Strategies that practitioners can use to reduce these risks are discussed.