Effects of laparoscopic pneumoperitoneum and changes in position on arterial pulse pressure wave-form: comparison between morbidly obese and normal-weight patients.

Background: Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) is commonly indicated in morbidly obese patients. There is controversy regarding the hemodynamic effects of pneumoperitoneum (PNP) in obese patients. PNP and changes in body posture have complex effects on venous return that may be detected by respiratory changes in the arterial pressure waveform.

Airway management using the intubating laryngeal mask airway for the morbidly obese patient.

Unlabelled: We studied the effectiveness of the intubating laryngeal mask airway (ILMA) in morbidly obese patients scheduled for bariatric surgery. We included 118 consecutive morbidly obese patients (body mass index, 45 +/- 5 kg/m(2)). After the induction of general anesthesia, the laryngeal view was classified by the first observer according to the method of Cormack and Lehane.