To determine impact of obesity on recovery
parameters and pulmonary functions of women undergoing
major abdominal gynecological surgeries. Eighty women
undergoing major gynecological surgeries were included in
this study. Anesthesia was induced by remifentanil bolus,
followed by propofol and cisatracurium to facilitate orotracheal
intubation and was maintained by balanced anesthesia
of remifentanil intravenous infusion and sevoflurane
in oxygen and air. Time from discontinuation of maintenance
anesthesia to fully awake were recorded at 1-min
intervals and time from discontinuation of anesthesia until
patient was transferred to post-anesthesia care unit (PACU)
and discharged from PACU was also recorded. Pulmonary
function tests were performed before surgery and repeated
4 h, days 1, 2 and 3 post-operative for evaluation of forced
vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 s and peak
expiratory flow rate. Occurrence of post-operative complications,
re-admission to ICU, hospital stay and morbidities
were also recorded. Induction of anesthesia using
remifentanil bolus injection resulted in significant decrease
of heart rate and arterial pressures compared to pre-operative
and pre-induction values. Recovery times were significantly
shorter in obese compared to morbidly obese
women. Post-operative pulmonary function tests showed
significant deterioration compared to pre-operative