Obesity is a global public health issue; significant numbers of the world’s population are overweight, growing numbers are obese, and many re morbidly obese. As obesity is associated with a range of co-morbidities (namely cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, depression, and sleep apnoea), it presents a daunting peri-operative challenge to the anaesthetist. The increasing size and weight of patients presenting for surgery involves multiple issues from starting
intravenous lines through to intubation and ventilation challenges.
