The prevalence of morbid obesity in the United Kingdom is increasing at an exponential rate. The field of bariatric surgery has expanded accordingly over the past decade. Obesity related co-morbidity increases the risk of perioperative complications, and morbidly obese patients presenting for bariatric surgery pose particular challenges to the anaesthetist. This article addresses key issues relevant to pre-operative assessment, and anaesthetic management of morbidly obese patients presenting for bariatric surgery.
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