Intensive care of postoperative patients in bariatric surgery - Critical Care Science (CCS)

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Obesity is an epidemic disease reaching more than 300 million people all over the world. Its prevalence has increased during the past few years and according to some studies its mortality in the critically ill patient seems to be much higher, especially among patients who were submitted to surgery. This study has as objective to discuss some particularities of managing obese patients in the intensive care unit after bariatric surgery. CONTENTS: The rate of obese patient in the ICU ranges from 9% to 26% and the increase in the number of bariatric surgeries has raised the number of obese patients in the ICU. It is important to know the physiopathology of obesity and to treat its particularities during the postoperative care. Such as pulmonary restriction, that causes an increase in pulmonary complications, coronary artery disease and thromboembolic events. CONCLUSIONS: The number of patients that undergo to bariatric surgery has increased; therefore, the number of obese patients in the ICU has also risen. Different physiological events and complications in obese patients are challenges to clinical practice. The knowledge of obese physiopathology helps in the managing routine procedures and complications after bariatric surgery.