Anaesthetic considerations and management of the obese patient presenting for bariatric surgery

The prevalence of morbid obesity in the United Kingdom is increasing at an exponential rate. The field of bariatric surgery has expanded accordingly over the past decade. Obesity related co-morbidity increases the risk of perioperative complications, and morbidly obese patients presenting for bariatric surgery pose particular challenges to the anaesthetist. This article addresses key issues relevant to pre-operative assessment, and anaesthetic management of morbidly obese patients presenting for bariatric surgery.