There’s an obesity epidemic in the West. More than 40 percent of American adults today are considered obese, and by 2050, that number will have climbed to over 50 percent. Obesity, a medical condition in and of itself, increases an individual’s risk for countless other medical conditions, not limited to hypertension, diabetes, and cancer. Research shows that obesity may pose risks when it comes to anesthesia as well.
Obesity and anesthesia: Potential complications
When undergoing surgery, complications can arise–from the anesthesia used during the procedure, from the procedure itself, or from the patient’s health conditions, if they have any. To minimize the risk of complications, surgeons and anesthesiologists need the patient to be in good physical condition.
A patient with obesity isn’t considered to be in good physical condition, and as a consequence, the following problems may occur during or after undergoing anesthesia.
- Breathing issues. Patients under anesthesia are monitored to ensure they’re breathing properly. A patient with no medical conditions will likely have no problems with their breathing while unconscious, but the same isn’t true for patients with obesity. Obese individuals often suffer from sleep apnea, a condition that can cause you to abruptly stop breathing while you’re asleep. During anesthesia, such an event can turn a routine procedure into something much more significant. Obese individuals may also have restricted airflow due to excess fat in the neck or chest area, which can lead to trouble when placing a breathing tube. In fact, a 2011 study found that obese patients were twice as likely to develop serious airway problems while under anesthesia.
- Cardiovascular issues. Obesity causes heart attacks and strokes. In rare situations, anesthesia can, too. A patient with a normal body weight has a lower chance of encountering cardiovascular issues, but an obese patient’s risk is higher.
- Issues with placing IVs. Obese patients have more body fat. As a consequence, locating a vein to deliver intravenous medication becomes more difficult–something that can have grave consequences if a need for emergency medication arises.
- Issues with recovery. Recovering from surgery can be a long process, and all patients must take certain measures to ensure that recovery goes smoothly. Recovery for obese patients is a little more difficult, however. Obese individuals have a higher risk of developing blood clots after surgery, a potentially fatal complication. In addition, obese patients’ wounds heal slower, which can lead to post-surgical infection.
Reducing risk
Certain steps can be taken before and during surgery to reduce anesthesia risk in obese individuals, but the best way to prevent any potential complications is by losing weight through a healthy, balanced diet and regular exercise.
Written by Natan Rosenfeld
References
- Obesity and Anesthesia
- Obesity: Surgery Risks & Anesthesia Complications – Made for This Moment
- Adult Obesity Facts | Overweight & Obesity
- The rising prevalence of obesity: part A: impact on public health
- 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.
