Bariatric surgery can be challenging for anesthesiologists because morbidly obese patients have a higher incidence of morbidity and mortality from perioperative cardiopulmonary insufficiency, wound infections, and thromboembolic events. Bariatric surgery is a currently popular treatment for morbid obesity in Korea but the anesthetic guidelines for bariatric surgery may not account for the social and racial differences in the characteristics of obesity and bariatric anesthesia, leading to incorrect estimates of the morbidity and mortality from these procedures. Therefore, we retrospectively reviewed the medical charts of 192 morbidly obese patients who had undergone laparoscopic bariatric surgery at a single hospital and discussed perianesthetic management. Anesthesia care for the patients undergoing bariatric surgery begins with a pre-anesthetic assessment. Moreover, the existence and severity of co-morbidities, rather than the body mass index (BMI) itself, are the main perioperative risk factors [1]. The overall mortality of bariatric surgery is 50 kg/m2, male gender and risk of pulmonary embolism have been proposed to predict perioperative mortality [3]. Morbid obesity is associated with decreased lung and chest wall compliance, increased airway resistance, reduced functional residual capacity (FRC), and increased oxygen consumption that predisposes them to rapid desaturation during apnea or hypoventilation [4]. Adequate pre-oxygenation in a head-up position is important before anesthetic induction [5]. This position reduces the pressure from the abdominal contents pushing up against the diaphragm and prolongs the mean desaturation time by approximately 50 s [6]. Bariatric patients have a high incidence of gastroesophageal reflux and increased intragastric pressure caused by the increased mass of the chest and abdomen, leading to a higher risk of pulmonary aspiration during anesthetic induction [7]. Rapid sequence intubation is necessary using succinylcholine or sufficient dose of rocuronium with the Sellick's maneuver. The Pentax-AWS® and Glidescope® laryngoscope were also useful in patients with potential difficult intubation. Intraoperative fluid management during laparoscopic surgery is complex because the central venous pressure and urine output are unreliable during pneumoperitoneum. Because cold, dry gas is insufflated into the peritoneal cavity, the insensible fluid loss during laparoscopic surgery is comparable to open laparotomy, and large amounts of fluid are needed to prevent postoperative acute tubular necrosis [8]. However, the cardiopulmonary function and fluid tolerance are different in morbidly obese patients. In addition, pneumoperitoneum at 15 mmHg causes significant intraoperative oliguria [9], and decreased renal excretion of excessive fluid during laparoscopic surgery may induce volume overloading. Intraoperative fluid requirements during bariatric surgery are usually reported as 4-5 L of crystalloid solution for an average 2 h operation [8]. However, the fluid requirements should be standardized according to the operation time and body weight. We used an average of 6.5 ml/kg/hr of crystalloid solution to replace the insensible loss during surgery and it was seemed appropriate. Morbidly obese patients are more likely to be immobile postoperatively and are at risk of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, with a combined incidence of approximately 2% [10]. The prevalence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) shows ethnic variations, and Asians have a 3-5 fold lower incidence of symptomatic first time idiopathic and secondary VTE than other racial groups [11]. Therefore, thromboprophylaxis guidelines should be modified in Korean patients. It is important to consider individual patient characteristics, including races, family history, comorbid conditions, concomitant medications, and perioperative hemostasis. In our patient group, none of the patients had a history of previous thrombotic events. Compression stockings were used routinely for VTE prevention and no thromboembolic events were observed. A further evaluation should be performed to determine the prophylactic management of thrombosis in Koreans. In conclusion, we report the perianesthetic management in what is to our knowledge the largest series of bariatric surgery in Korea. However, the impact of obesity is significant and should be considered throughout the perioperative period. Overall, anesthesiologists should be aware of the increased risk of difficulties with airway management as well as cardiovascular and respiratory care, and should take appropriate precautions to improve patient safety.
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Jul 18, 2012
John C Bell + 5
Open Access