CRITICAL INCIDENTS IN SURGICAL PATIENTS WITH MORBID OBESITY

Introduction. Morbid obesity (MO) is a serious medical problem that significantly complicates anesthetic management and increases the risk of critical incidents during the perioperative period. Objective. To determine the frequency and main types of critical incidents in surgical patients with morbid obesity based on a survey of anesthesiologists. Materials and Methods. A survey of 88 anesthesiologists from various regions of Ukraine was conducted using a structured electronic questionnaire. Data were analyzed using methods of variation statistics with χ2 test and t-test to assess statistical significance. Results. Most respondents (64 %) indicated that morbid obesity increases the risk of critical incidents by 2–3 times. The most frequent incidents involved airway complications (50 %), whereas cardiovascular events were less common. Standardized airway management protocols were absent in 23 % of institutions. The use of videolaryngoscopy, high-flow oxygenation during induction, and preoperative briefings was associated with a reduced frequency of critical incidents. Simulation-based trainings were rated effective by 73 % of surveyed anesthesiologists. Conclusions. Critical incidents in patients with morbid obesity remain an important issue. The implementation of standardized protocols, improvement of difficult airway management skills, and regular simulation training are key measures to enhance patient safety in this population.