• J Ulrici, G Hempel, M Sasse, J Vollrath, and C Höhne.
• Klinik und Poliklinik für Anästhesiologie und Intensivtherapie, Universitätsklinikum Leipzig, Liebigstraße 20, 04103, Leipzig, Deutschland.
• Anaesthesist. 2016 Dec 1; 65 (12): 911-916.

BackgroundOverweight and obesity are increasing problems in pediatric anesthesia. This observational study was designed to examine how airway-related complications occur in overweight children and adolescents during general anesthesia and if this is a relevant problem in Germany.MethodsFrom October 2008 until August 2009, at the university clinic in Leipzig, 504 in- and outpatients, aged 2-18 years, ASA I-III, undergoing elective procedures (ENT and pediatric surgery), were observed. With the aid of special data sheets, the following parameters were determined: Mallampati Score, difficult mask ventilation and intubation, use of a Guedel/Wendl tube, Cormack-Lehane Score, number of intubation attempts, airway obstructions (broncho- and laryngospasms), coughing as a sign of airway irritation, and decreases in oxygen saturation >10 %.ResultsOverweight and obese children had a significantly higher Mallampati Score and a significantly higher prevalence of coughing (p < 0.05). None of the other parameters showed any significant differences between the groups. However, the incidence of desaturation was 9.5 % in overweight children and 6.3 % in children of normal weight, and that of airway obstructions was 4.1 vs 2.7 %.ConclusionThis study demonstrated a very low incidence of respiratory problems, which may be caused by the low proportion of morbidly obese children and the older age of overweight children in comparison with other studies.

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