Peri-operative management of the obese surgical patient | Association of Anaesthetists

Peri-operative management of the obese surgical patient

Please note that these guidelines are currently under review and will be updated in due course

Summary

There's an increased recognition that obese patients present a different set of challenges and require specific peri-operative care compared with non-obese patients. These guidelines are intended to inform anaesthetists about best practice management of obese surgical patients throughout the peri-operative period, as members of a multidisciplinary team. 

These guidelines cover but are not limited to: 

  • Pathophysiology of obesity 
  • Pharmacology 
  • Pre-operative preparation 
  • Intra-operative and postoperative care 
  • Special circumstances