Isobaric spinal anesthesia: a suitable approach for a morbidly obese patient

AANA J. 2012 Oct;80(5):341-4.

Abstract

Morbid obesity is a relatively common and vastly increasing condition that can have a profound impact on morbidity and mortality during the administration and maintenance of general and regional anesthesia. Physiological derangements, difficult airway management, and biological augmentation in pharmacokinetics are some of the clinical challenges involved with this particular patient population. This case report discusses the advantages of regional versus general anesthesia in the morbidly obese patient population, in conjunction with an analysis of the various types of spinal anesthetics. This will be followed by a focused discussion related to the management of a morbidly obese patient undergoing a nonelective orthopedic procedure.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anesthesia, Spinal*
  • Ankle Fractures / surgery*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Obesity, Morbid*
  • Postoperative Complications / prevention & control*
  • Treatment Outcome