IMPACT OF OBESITY ON POSTOPERATIVE COMPLICATIONS AND MORTALITY FROM ANESTHETICS POISONING

Abstract

Obesity is a globally prevalent chronic condition associated with a number of significant health complications. In the surgical context, obesity can negatively influence postoperative complications and mortality related to anesthetic intoxication. This systematic literature review aims to investigate the impact of this specific condition by exploring recent studies published in the last 10 years. The objective of this review is to synthesize and critically analyze the available studies to determine the magnitude of the impact of obesity on postoperative complications and mortality due to anesthetic poisoning. Methodology: This review follows the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. We used the PubMed, Scielo and Web of Science databases to identify relevant studies. The descriptors used were "obesity", "postoperative complications", "anesthesia", "mortality", and "systematic review". The inclusion criteria were studies published in the last 10 years, in English or Portuguese, focused on adults undergoing surgical procedures. Exclusion criteria included pediatric studies, narrative reviews, and studies not directly related to obesity or anesthesia. Results: Analysis of studies revealed a clear association between obesity and increased postoperative complications, including infections, respiratory problems and prolonged hospital stay. Furthermore, there was a significant trend towards a higher incidence of mortality related to anesthetic toxicity in obese patients compared to non-obese patients. Conclusion: This review highlights the importance of careful preoperative assessment in obese patients, considering preventive measures and protocols adapted to minimize risks. Awareness of the adverse impacts of obesity in the surgical setting is crucial to optimizing clinical outcomes and patient safety.