Clinics in chest medicine
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Airway management is a major factor underlying morbidity and mortality in the obese population. The validity of anthropomorphic prediction model in assessing a difficult airway is less accurate compared with lean subjects. ⋯ Application of noninvasive positive airway pressure can prevent atelectasis and improve oxygenation during the anesthetic induction as well during the postoperative period and after liberation from mechanical ventilation. When performed by trained operators, bedside percutaneous dilatation tracheostomy in obese patients has a safety profile comparable to surgical tracheostomy but provides advantages including ease of performance and lesser cost, and obviates transporting a critically ill patient outside the intensive care unit.