O.10 Morbid obesity and caesarean section: The impact of BMI on anaesthesia and surgical duration

Abstract

Introduction: Obesity is associated with increased operative time at caesarean section (CS). [1] Girsen A, Osmundson S, Naqvi M et al. Body Mass Index and Operative Times at Caesarean Delivery. Obstet Gynecol 2014; 124: 684 –9. Google Scholar Obesity, pregnancy and emergency surgery all increase the risk of general anaesthesia (GA). [2] Cook T, Woodall N, Frerk C. Major complications of airway management in the UK: results of the Fourth National Audit Project of the Royal College of Anaesthetists and the Difficult Airway Society. Part 1: Anaesthesia, Br J Anaesth 2011;106:617 –31. Google Scholar On labour ward, urgency to deliver is challenged by raised body mass index (BMI). Conversion to GA during CS is challenging and potentially distressing for the mother. The study aims were to quantify how surgical time (ST) and anaesthesia time (AT), at CS, vary by BMI.