Adapting general anaesthesia for a patient with class III obesity and obstructive sleep apnoea undergoing day case laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A case report

This report describes the anaesthesia provided for a class III obese patient with obstructive sleep apnoea, undergoing an elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Several adaptations were required to provide safe anaesthesia. A McGrath video laryngoscopy was utilised for intubation. The patient was positioned in the ramped position, thereby increasing time to desaturation on induction of anaesthesia. Pressure controlled ventilation - volume guaranteed mode was selected for ventilation to provide consistent tidal volumes. An increased level of positive end-expiratory pressure was utilised to minimise atelectasis. Drug doses were carefully considered and calculated with the aid of The Society for Obesity and Bariatric Anaesthesia dose calculator. The airway management adaptations provided an unobstructed view for intubation. Peak airway pressures during surgery remained within safe limits and no atelectasis was evident postoperatively. Pain was kept under control and desaturation was avoided during postanaesthetic care. The patient was discharged home later that evening.