[Perioperative Ventilatory Management in the Obese Patient].

Obesity, characterized by an excess of body fat, is commonly diagnosed using the Body Mass Index (BMI), with obesity defined as a BMI greater than 30 kg/m2. This condition, steadily increasing worldwide, affects millions of people.

Aim: To highlight the anatomical and physiological changes secondary to obesity and its effects on respiratory function, presenting perioperative optimization alternatives.

Method: Narrative review of studies related to ventilatory management in the perioperative obese patient.

Results: Obesity significantly impacts respiratory function due to anatomical and physiological changes, increasing airway resistance, reducing lung capacity, and raising the incidence of cardiorespiratory diseases. During the perioperative period, factors such as anesthesia, surgical technique, and patient positioning can exacerbate these problems, increasing postoperative respiratory complications up to 18% in obese patients. Therefore, perioperative optimization becomes crucial.

Conclusion: Proper preparation to face the perioperative period in obese patients is essential given the predicted increase in the prevalence of this condition.