Perioperative evaluation of the obese patient

There is rapidly increasing prevalence of obesity throughout Western societies and increasing numbers of patients undergoing surgery are obese. Obesity is a condition of chronic systemic inflammation and is associated with an increased burden of comorbidities. Despite traditional teaching, obesity may not be an independent risk factor for poor postoperative outcomes. The Obesity Paradox describes the observation that small amounts of excess body fat may be protective against postoperative complications. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.