Editorial: PREOXYGENATION OF THE MORBIDLY OBESE WITH OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA

Morbid obesity is associated with a more rapid decrease in oxygen saturation during apnea following induction of anesthesia, compared to patients who have normal weight. This is particularly hazardous as morbid obesity, complicated by obstructive sleep apnea, may be associated with an increased risk of difficult tracheal intubation and difficult face mask ventilation. These morbidly obese patients, with a body mass index 35 kg/m2, a history of obstructive sleep apnea, a neck circumference 17 inch, a short thyromental distance, and a Mallampati class III, suggest difficult mask ventilation, difficult tracheal intubation, as well as rapid oxyhemoglobin desatruation during apnea (Fig. 1).