Effect of Obesity on the Patients Undergoing to General Anesthesia: A Prospective Study

Abstract

Background: Obesity is a global health concern associated with a range of perioperative challenges, particularly during general anesthesia. Altered respiratory mechanics, pharmacokinetics, and increased comorbidities in obese patients may compromise anesthetic safety and recovery outcomes. Despite rising obesity rates in Libya, local data on anesthesia-related risks in this population remain limited.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of obesity on anesthetic recovery times and hemodynamic parameters in patients undergoing general anesthesia in a public hospital in Libya.

Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted on 20 adult surgical patients from January to May 2023. Patients were divided into obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) and non-obese groups. Parameters assessed included time to spontaneous ventilation, Laryngeal Mask Airway (LMA) removal time, eye-opening time, and post-anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) discharge time. Intraoperative hemodynamic measures and the prevalence of comorbidities were also recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 20, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant.

Results: Obese patients (n = 12) exhibited significantly longer recovery times compared to non-obese patients (n = 8): spontaneous ventilation (12.8 vs. 9.4 min, p = 0.002), LMA removal (14.1 vs. 10.1 min, p = 0.001), eye opening (13.5 vs. 9.7 min, p < 0.001), and PACU discharge (68.3 vs. 49.5 min, p < 0.001). Obese patients also had lower mean arterial pressure (82.4 vs. 91.5 mmHg, p = 0.026), higher heart rates (95.2 vs. 88.3 bpm, p = 0.041), and reduced oxygen saturation (94.1% vs. 96.7%, p = 0.018). Comorbidities such as hypertension and diabetes were significantly more prevalent among obese patients.

Conclusion: Obesity significantly prolongs anesthetic recovery and impairs hemodynamic stability in surgical patients undergoing general anesthesia. These findings support the need for targeted perioperative strategies, preoperative risk stratification, and extended postoperative monitoring for obese individuals, particularly in resource-limited healthcare settings.