• R Fuzier.
• Pôle d'anesthésie et réanimation, service orthopédie, CHU Purpan, place Dr-Baylac, TSA40031, 31059 Toulouse cedex 9, France. fuzier.r@gmail.com
• Ann Fr Anesth Reanim. 2012 Mar 1;31(3):228-31.

ObjectiveTo detail specificity of regional anaesthesia techniques in the obese patient.Data SourcesArticles were selected from Medline database using the combination of the following keywords: obesity, peripheral nerve block, spinal anaesthesia, epidural, morbidity, mortality.Study SelectionMost recent original articles or review have mainly been selected. Some case reports that highlighted specific points were added.Data ExtractionArticles were analyzed for advantages and drawbacks, and risks of different techniques in obese patient.Data SynthesisTechniques avoiding obese patient's mobilization are recommended. The use of skin landmarks may be challenging for both central and peripheral blocks. Ultrasound techniques should improve block performance, even though deep fat layers seem limit sound diffusion. Success rate and incidence of complications are usually increased after regional anaesthesia technique in obese patient. The reduction of intrathecal local anesthetic dose remains controversial in this population.ConclusionRegional anaesthesia techniques could represent an alternative to general anaesthesia (less cardiorespiratory complications). However, many specific considerations have to be taken into account.Copyright © 2011 Société française d’anesthésie et de réanimation (Sfar). Published by Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.

25 keywords...

hide…