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PURPOSE Adequate patient positioning is of paramount importance in neurosurgery. Complications related to the position are common and make up for more than 16% of the claims towards anaesthesiologists and neurosurgeons. This paper aims to provide the anaesthesiologist with a practical guide to avoid common pitfalls related to the patient positioning process. METHOD We performed a systematic review of the medical literature for the identification, screening, and inclusion of articles. The bibliographic search was conducted on June 1st, 2021 by two of the authors. In this review, we included articles indexed by MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, or Google Scholar. RESULTS We retrieved a total of 5706 unique papers from our initial search. However, after the initial screening, 5363 papers were removed is not related to our research leaving a total of 343 papers. We examined the full text of all the 343 articles including 68 of them in the final qualitative analysis. DISCUSSION In this review we examine the most common neurosurgical positions: supine, sitting, lateral, park-bench, prone, jack-knife, and knee-chest. For each of them, the proper positioning and related complications are described. Particular attention is given to the prevention and management of these complications, providing a practical guide for clinicians.

Background We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to assess the association of higher positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), as opposed to lower PEEP, with hospital mortality in adult intensive care unit (ICU) patients undergoing invasive mechanical ventilation for reasons other than acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Methods We performed an electronic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CINAHL, and Web of Science from inception until June 16, 2021 with no language restrictions. In addition, a research-in-progress database and grey literature were searched. Results We identified 22 RCTs (2225 patients) comparing higher PEEP (1007 patients) with lower PEEP (991 patients). No statistically significant association between higher PEEP and hospital mortality was observed (risk ratio 1.02, 95% confidence interval 0.89–1.16; I2 = 0%, p = 0.62; low certainty of evidence). Among secondary outcomes, higher PEEP was associated with better oxygenation, higher respiratory system compliance, and lower risk of hypoxemia and ARDS occurrence. Furthermore, barotrauma, hypotension, duration of ventilation, lengths of stay, and ICU mortality were similar between the two groups. Conclusions In our meta-analysis of RCTs, higher PEEP, compared with lower PEEP, was not associated with mortality in patients without ARDS receiving invasive mechanical ventilation. Further large high-quality RCTs are required to confirm these findings.

Background The mechanisms underlying oxygenation improvement after prone positioning in COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome have not been fully elucidated yet. The authors hypothesized that the oxygenation increase with prone positioning is secondary to the improvement of ventilation-perfusion matching. Methods In a series of consecutive intubated COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome patients receiving volume-controlled ventilation, the authors prospectively assessed the percent variation of ventilation-perfusion matching by electrical impedance tomography before and 90 min after the first cycle of prone positioning (primary endpoint). The authors also assessed changes in the distribution and homogeneity of lung ventilation and perfusion, lung overdistention and collapse, respiratory system compliance, driving pressure, optimal positive end-expiratory pressure, as assessed by electrical impedance tomography, and the ratio of partial pressure to fraction of inspired oxygen (Pao2/Fio2; secondary endpoints). Data are reported as medians [25th to 75th] or percentages. Results The authors enrolled 30 consecutive patients, all analyzed without missing data. Compared to the supine position, prone positioning overall improved ventilation-perfusion matching from 58% [43 to 69%] to 68% [56 to 75%] (P = 0.042), with a median difference of 8.0% (95% CI, 0.1 to 16.0%). Dorsal ventilation increased from 39% [31 to 43%] to 52% [44 to 62%] (P < 0.001), while dorsal perfusion did not significantly vary. Prone positioning also reduced lung overdistension from 9% [4 to 11%] to 4% [2 to 6%] (P = 0.025), while it did not significantly affect ventilation and perfusion homogeneity, lung collapse, static respiratory system compliance, driving pressure, and optimal positive end-expiratory pressure. Pao2/Fio2 overall improved from 141 [104 to 182] mmHg to 235 [164 to 267] mmHg (P = 0.019). However, 9 (30%) patients were nonresponders, experiencing an increase in Pao2/Fio2 less than 20% with respect to baseline. Conclusions In COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome patients, prone positioning overall produced an early increase in ventilation-perfusion matching and dorsal ventilation. These effects were, however, heterogeneous among patients. Editor’s Perspective What We Already Know about This Topic What This Article Tells Us That Is New

Patients undergoing mastectomy surgery experience severe postoperative pain. Several regional techniques have been developed to reduce pain intensity but it is unclear, which of these techniques is most effective.To synthesise direct and indirect comparisons for the relative efficacy of different regional and local analgesia techniques in the setting of unilateral mastectomy. Postoperative opioid consumption at 24 h, postoperative pain at extubation, 1, 12 and 24 h, postoperative nausea and vomiting were collected.Systematic review with network meta-analysis (PROSPERO:CRD42021250651).PubMed, Scopus, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (from inception until 7 July 2021).All randomised controlled trials investigating single-injection regional and local analgesia techniques in adult patients undergoing unilateral mastectomy were included in our study without any language or publication date restriction.Sixty-two included studies randomising 4074 patients and investigating nine techniques entered the analysis. All techniques were associated with less opioid consumption compared with controls The greatest mean difference [95% confidence interval (CI)] was associated with deep serratus anterior plane block: mean difference -16.1 mg (95% CI, -20.7 to -11.6). The greatest reduction in pain score was associated with the interpectoral-pecto-serratus plane block (mean difference -1.3, 95% CI, -1.6 to - 1) at 12 h postoperatively, and with superficial serratus anterior plane block (mean difference -1.4, 95% CI, -2.4 to -0.5) at 24 h. Interpectoral-pectoserratus plane block resulted in the greatest statistically significant reduction in postoperative nausea/vomiting when compared with placebo/no intervention with an OR of 0.23 (95% CI, 0.13 to 0.40).All techniques were associated with superior analgesia and less opioid consumption compared with controls. No single technique was identified as superior to others. In comparison, local anaesthetic infiltration does not offer advantages over multimodal analgesia alone.PROSPERO (CRD4202125065).

Patient self-inflicted lung injury (P-SILI) has been proposed as a form of lung injury caused by strong inspiratory efforts consequent to a high respiratory drive in patients with hypoxemic acute respiratory failure (hARF). Increased respiratory drive and effort may lead to variable combinations of deleterious phenomena, such as excessive transpulmonary pressure,We systematically searched Pubmed since inception until 15 April 2022 to review the patho-physiological mechanisms of P-SILI and the strategies to identify those patients at risk of P-SILI.Although the concept of P-SILI has been increasingly supported by experimental and clinical data, no study has insofar demonstrated the efficacy of any strategy to identify it in the clinical setting. Further research is thus needed to ascertain the detrimental effects of spontaneous breathing and identify patients with hARF at high risk of developing P-SILI.

BACKGROUND The serratus anterior plane block (SAPb) is a promising interfascial plane technique able to provide profound thoracic analgesia. As only a few studies with quite small patient samples are presently available, the analgesic efficacy of adding SAPb to general anaesthesia in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), compared with general anaesthesia only, remains unclear. OBJECTIVES Our primary aim was to assess the analgesic efficacy of SAPb for VATS peri-operative pain control. The secondary aims were to evaluate differences in postoperative opioid use, intra-operative hypotension, postoperative side-effects and complications, time to chest tube removal, length of hospital stay. DESIGN Systematic review of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) with meta-analyses.DATA SOURCES PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar and the Cochrane Library, searched up to 6 December 2019.ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA RCTs including adult patients undergoing VATS who received single shot SAPb (cases), compared with general anaesthesia (controls). RESULTS Seven RCTs, with a total of 489 patients were included. SAPb reduced pain scores peri-operatively, compared with controls: 6 h [mean difference -1.86, 95% confidence interval (CI) -2.35 to -1.37, P

During COVID-19 pandemic, optimization of the diagnostic resources is essential. Lung Ultrasound (LUS) is a rapid, easy-to-perform, low cost tool which allows bedside investigation of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. We aimed to investigate the typical ultrasound patterns of COVID-19 pneumonia and their evolution at different stages of the disease. We performed LUS in twenty-eight consecutive COVID-19 patients at both admission to and discharge from one of the Padua University Hospital Intensive Care Units (ICU). LUS was performed using a low frequency probe on six different areas per each hemithorax. A specific pattern for each area was assigned, depending on the prevalence of A-lines (A), non-coalescent B-lines (B1), coalescent B-lines (B2), consolidations (C). A LUS score (LUSS) was calculated after assigning to each area a defined pattern. Out of 28 patients, 18 survived, were stabilized and then referred to other units. The prevalence of C pattern was 58.9% on admission and 61.3% at discharge. Type B2 (19.3%) and B1 (6.5%) patterns were found in 25.8% of the videos recorded on admission and 27.1% (17.3% B2; 9.8% B1) on discharge. The A pattern was prevalent in the anterosuperior regions and was present in 15.2% of videos on admission and 11.6% at discharge. The median LUSS on admission was 27.5 [21–32.25], while on discharge was 31 [17.5–32.75] and 30.5 [27–32.75] in respectively survived and non-survived patients. On admission the median LUSS was equally distributed on the right hemithorax (13; 10.75–16) and the left hemithorax (15; 10.75–17). LUS collected in COVID-19 patients with acute respiratory failure at ICU admission and discharge appears to be characterized by predominantly lateral and posterior non-translobar C pattern and B2 pattern. The calculated LUSS remained elevated at discharge without significant difference from admission in both groups of survived and non-survived patients.

Background Central venous catheter (CVC) placement is a routine procedure but is potentially associated with severe complications. Relatively small studies investigated if the use of ultrasound is effective in bridging the skill gap between proficient and not proficient operators, while patient safety during training remains a controversial topic. The first aim of this study was to evaluate if resident proficiency affects the failure rate in CVC positioning under ultrasound guidance. In addition, it aimed to investigate the different rate of complications between proficient and non proficient residents. Methods We conducted a cohort study including CVC placed by residents at the University Hospital of Padova, from November 1, 2012 to July 9, 2020 comparing proficient and non proficient residents. To avoid bias the two cohorts were matched using propensity score. Results A total of 356 residents positioned 2310 CVC during the 8 year study period. Among them, two groups of 1060 CVCs each were matched with a propensity score analysis. There was no difference in the failure rate among the groups (2.8 vs 2.7%, p-value 0.895). Moreover, cohorts had the same rate of hematomas, catheter tip malposition, arterial puncture and pneumothorax. No cases of hemothorax were reported. Conclusions We found the same rate of success and incidence of adverse complications among cohorts, meaning that the process of skill acquisition is safe as long as appropriate training and direct supervision by a senior consultant are available.

Background During COVID-19 pandemic, optimization of the diagnostic resources is essential. Lung Ultrasound (LUS) is a rapid, easy-to-perform, low cost tool which allows bedside investigation of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. We aimed to investigate the typical ultrasound patterns of COVID-19 pneumonia and their evolution at different stages of the disease. Methods We performed LUS in twenty-eight consecutive COVID-19 patients at both admission to and discharge from one of the Padua University Hospital Intensive Care Units (ICU). LUS was performed using a low frequency probe on six different areas per each hemithorax. A specific pattern for each area was assigned, depending on the prevalence of A-lines (A), non-coalescent B-lines (B1), coalescent B-lines (B2), consolidations (C). A LUS score (LUSS) was calculated after assigning to each area a defined pattern. Results Out of 28 patients, 18 survived, were stabilized and then referred to other units. The prevalence of C pattern was 58.9% on admission and 61.3% at discharge. Type B2 (19.3%) and B1 (6.5%) patterns were found in 25.8% of the videos recorded on admission and 27.1% (17.3% B2; 9.8% B1) on discharge. The A pattern was prevalent in the anterosuperior regions and was present in 15.2% of videos on admission and 11.6% at discharge. The median LUSS on admission was 27.5 [21–32.25], while on discharge was 31 [17.5–32.75] and 30.5 [27–32.75] in respectively survived and non-survived patients. On admission the median LUSS was equally distributed on the right hemithorax (13; 10.75–16) and the left hemithorax (15; 10.75–17). Conclusions LUS collected in COVID-19 patients with acute respiratory failure at ICU admission and discharge appears to be characterized by predominantly lateral and posterior non-translobar C pattern and B2 pattern. The calculated LUSS remained elevated at discharge without significant difference from admission in both groups of survived and non-survived patients.

Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-V ECMO) may be required to treat critically ill patients with COVID-19-associated severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We report the case of a 43-year-old peripartum patient, who underwent two sequential V-V ECMO runs. The first extracorporeal support was established for COVID-19 ARDS, as characterized by severe hypoxemia and hypercapnia (arterial partial pressure of oxygen to inspired oxygen fraction ratio 85 mmHg and arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide 95 mmHg) and reduction of respiratory system static compliance to 25 mL/cmH2O, unresponsive to mechanical ventilation and prone positioning. After 22 days of lung rest, V-V ECMO was successfully removed and ventilator weaning initiated. A second V-V ECMO was required 7 days later, because of newly onset ARDS due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa ventilator-associated pneumonia. The second V-V ECMO run lasted 12 days. During both V-V ECMO runs, anticoagulation and ventilator settings were titrated through bedside thromboelastometry and electrical impedance tomography, respectively, without major complications. The patient was successfully decannulated, weaned from mechanical ventilation, and finally discharged home without oxygen therapy. At one-month follow-up, she showed good general conditions and no sign of respiratory failure.

Study objective An uncontrolled adrenergic response during tracheal intubation may lead to life-threatening complications. Dexmedetomidine binds to α2-receptors and may attenuate this response. The primary aim of our meta-analysis is to investigate dexmedetomidine efficacy in attenuating sympathetic response to tracheal intubation, compared with placebo or no dexmedetomidine, in terms of heart rate and blood pressure at intubation. Design Meta-analysis with meta-regression and trial sequential analysis. Setting Systematic search from inception until December 1, 2020 in the following databases: Pubmed, Scopus, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, EMBASE and Google Scholar. Interventions All randomized controlled trials investigating intravenous dexmedetomidine as premedication in adult patients undergoing tracheal intubation were included in our study. Studies were included without any language or publication date restriction. A trial sequential analysis and a post-hoc meta-regression were performed on the main outcomes. Measurements Hemodynamic parameters and heart rate at tracheal intubation, dose of anesthetic needed for induction of anesthesia, total anesthetic requirement throughout the operative procedure, postoperative pain and percentage of patients requiring analgesics at 24 postoperative hours, postoperative nausea and vomiting, intraoperative and postoperative bradycardia, hypotension, dizziness, shivering and/or respiratory depression. Main results Ninety-nine included studies randomized 6833 patients. During laryngoscopy, all hemodynamic parameters were significantly greater in the no dexmedetomidine group. In particular, in the dexmedetomidine group, systolic blood pressure differed by −21.8 mm Hg (95% CI -26.6 to −17.1, p-value Conclusions Patients receiving premedication with dexmedetomidine for tracheal intubation, compared with no dexmedetomidine, have a lower blood pressure and heart rate, however, the risk of bradycardia and hypotension is relevant and its use during daily practice should be cautiously evaluated for each patient.

Setting the proper level of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) is a cornerstone of lung protective ventilation. PEEP keeps the alveoli open at the end of expiration, thus reducing atelectrauma and shunt. However, excessive PEEP may contribute to alveolar overdistension. Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is a non-invasive bedside tool that monitors in real-time ventilation distribution. Aim of this narrative review is summarizing the techniques for EIT-guided PEEP titration, while providing useful insights to enhance comprehension on advantages and limits of EIT for current and future users. EIT detects thoracic impedance to alternating electrical currents between pairs of electrodes and, through the analysis of its temporal and spatial variation, reconstructs a two-dimensional slice image of the lung depicting regional variation of ventilation and perfusion. Several EIT-based methods have been proposed for PEEP titration. The first described technique estimates the variations of regional lung compliance during a decremental PEEP trial, after lung recruitment. The optimal PEEP value is represented by the best compromise between lung collapse and overdistension. Later on, a second technique assessing alveolar recruitment by variation of the end-expiratory lung impedance was validated. Finally, the global inhomogeneity index and the regional ventilation delay, two EIT-derived parameters, showed promising results selecting the optimal PEEP value as the one that presents the lowest global inhomogeneity index or the lowest regional ventilation delay. In conclusion EIT represents a promising technique to individualize PEEP in mechanically ventilated patients. Whether EIT is the best technique for this purpose and the overall influence of personalizing PEEP on clinical outcome remains to be determined.

Study objective Sugammadex has been introduced for reversal of neuromuscular blockade (NMB) induced by rocuronium (or vecuronium). Although its efficacy and safety have been established, data are conflicting as to whether it accelerates discharge to the surgical ward compared with neostigmine, which is traditionally used for reversing NMB. The object of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to review the research comparing sugammadex and neostigmine in the context of patient discharge after general anesthesia. Design Systematic review and meta-analysis. Setting University medical hospital. Patients Five-hundred eighteen patients from six studies were included. Methods A comprehensive search was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library electronic databases to identify randomized controlled trials written in English. Two reviewers independently selected the studies, extracted data regarding postoperative discharge, and assessed the trials' methodological quality and evidence level. Postoperative discharge time was determined from the operating room (OR) to the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) and from the PACU to the surgical ward. This study was conducted using PRISMA methodology. Measurements Time to discharge after NMB reversal with sugammadex or neostigmine. Main results Compared with neostigmine, sugammadex was associated with a significantly faster discharge from the OR to the PACU (mean difference [MD]=22.14min, 95% CI (14.62, 29.67), P 2 =0%) and from the PACU to the surgical ward (MD=16.95min, 95% CI (0.23, 33.67), P =0.0469, I 2 =98.4%). Similarly, discharge-readiness was shorter for sugammadex than for neostigmine from the OR to the PACU (MD=5.58min, 95% CI (3.03, 8.14), P ≤0.0001, I 2 =0%). However, discharge-readiness was similar in both groups for patients moving from the PACU to the surgical ward (MD=−1.10min, 95% CI (−5.69, 3.50), P =0.6394, I 2 =25.3%). Conclusions Results from this meta-analysis suggest that sugammadex accelerates postoperative discharge of patients after general anesthesia compared with neostigmine.

Sugammadex has been introduced for reversal of rocuronium (or vecuronium)-induced neuromuscular blockade (NMB). Although its efficacy has been established, data are conflicting whether it is safer than neostigmine traditionally used for reversing NMB.Meta-analysis of data about effectiveness and safety of sugammadex compared to neostigmine for reversing NMB in adults was performed using the PRISMA methodology.University medical hospital.A comprehensive search was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library electronic databases to identify English-language randomized controlled trials. Two reviewers independently selected the trials; extracted data on reversal times, incomplete reversals of NMB, and adverse events (AEs); and assessed the trials' methodological quality and evidence level. Only AEs that were related to study drug by a blinded safety assessor were considered for meta-analysis.A total of 1384 patients from 13 articles were included in this meta-analysis.Compared to neostigmine, sugammadex was faster in reversing NMB (P.0001) and more likely to be associated with higher train-of-four ratio values at extubation (mean difference, 0.18; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.14-0.22; P.0001) and lower risk of postoperative residual curarization after extubation (odds ratio [OR], 0.05; 95% CI, 0.01-0.43; P=.0068). Compared to neostigmine, sugammadex was associated with a significantly lower likelihood of global AEs (OR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.34-0.66; P.0001), respiratory AEs (OR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.14-0.95; P=.0386), cardiovascular AEs (OR, 0.23; 95% CI, 0.08-0.61; P=.0036), and postoperative weakness (OR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.21-0.97; P=.0409). Sugammadex and neostigmine were associated with a similar likelihood of postoperative nausea and vomiting (OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 0.70-2.15; P=.4719), pain (OR, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.15-7.36; P=.9559), neurologic AEs (OR, 1.47; 95% CI, 0.52-4.17; P=.4699), general AEs (OR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.47-1.21; P=.2448), and changes in laboratory tests' values (OR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.18-1.78; P=.3368).Results from this meta-analysis suggest that sugammadex is superior to neostigmine, as it reverses NMB faster and more reliably, with a lower risk of AEs.

Perioperative noninvasive ventilation (NIV) has been proposed to reduce postoperative morbidity and improve perioperative outcomes in patients undergoing general anesthesia. Whether it is advantageous to apply NIV just before and after general anesthesia in obese patients has not been yet established.To perform a qualitative review and meta-analysis to assess the effectiveness and tolerability of perioperative NIV in obese patients.All studies in English language performed in clinical setting that compared the application of NIV with standard care just before and after induction of general anesthesia in obese adults (body mass index [BMI]≥35 kg/m(2)) were included. Data on oxygenation, respiratory function, complications, and outcomes were extracted.Twenty-nine articles were selected and used in the qualitative review. Eleven studies including 768 patients were used for subsequent meta-analyses. Compared with standard preoxygenation, NIV was associated with a significant improvement in oxygenation (P.0001) before tracheal intubation. Benefits in oxygenation (P.0001), clearance of carbon dioxide (P.0001), and pulmonary function testing (P.0001) after general anesthesia were observed with NIV compared with standard care. Postoperatively, NIV was associated with a decreased risk of respiratory complications (relative risk [RR] = .33; 95% confidence interval [CI] .16-.66; P = .002), but not of reintubation after tracheal extubation (RR = .41; 95% CI .09-1.82]; P = .3657) and unplanned intensive care unit admission (RR = .43; 95% CI .16-1.15; P = .0937). NIV-related complications in obese patients were mainly due to intolerance and ranged from 7% to 28% of cases. NIV-related anastomotic leakage and adverse events were not reported.Results from this review and meta-analysis suggest that NIV is well tolerated and effective in improving perioperative care in obese patients. The application of NIV before and after general anesthesia should be considered and promoted in relevant cases.

Michele Carron, Fabio Baratto, Francesco Zarantonello, Carlo Ori Department of Medicine, Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, University of Padova, Padova, Italy Objective: The aim of the study is to evaluate the clinical and economic impact of introducing a rocuronium–neostigmine–sugammadex strategy into a cisatracurium–neostigmine regimen for neuromuscular block (NMB) management. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of clinical outcomes and cost-effectiveness in five operating rooms at University Hospital of Padova. A clinical outcome evaluation after sugammadex administration as first-choice reversal drug in selected patients (rocuronium–sugammadex) and as rescue therapy after neostigmine reversal (rocuronium–neostigmine–sugammadex) compared to control was performed. A cost-analysis of NMB management accompanying the introduction of a rocuronium–neostigmine–sugammadex strategy into a cisatracurium–neostigmine regimen was carried out. To such purpose, two periods were compared: 2011–2012, without sugammadex available; 2013–2014, with sugammadex available. A subsequent analysis was performed to evaluate if sugammadex replacing neostigmine as first choice reversal drug is cost-effective. Results: The introduction of a rocuronium–neostigmine–sugammadex strategy into a cisatracurium–neostigmine regimen reduced the average cost of NMB management by 36%, from €20.8/case to €13.3/case. Patients receiving sugammadex as a first-choice reversal drug (3%) exhibited significantly better train-of-four ratios at extubation (P

Critically ill obese patients are at increased risk of severe hypoxemia during intubation. Preoxygenation consists in enhancing the patient’s oxygen reserve to avoid this complication and should be routinely applied in clinical practice. Correctly positioning the patient or using specific techniques might provide additional time before hypoxemia develops.

The incidence and prevalence of obesity continues to increase globally. Physicians will therefore provide care for an increasing number of obese patients in their clinical practice. Optimal management of these patients is required to minimize the risk of perioperative complications that increase morbidity and mortality. Obesity affects the respiratory function. It is generally associated with reduced lung volume with increased atelectasis, decreased lung and chest wall compliance, increased airway resistance, and moderate to severe hypoxemia. These physiologic alterations are generally more pronounced in obesity complicated by obstructive sleep apnea syndrome or obesity hypoventilation syndrome. Anesthesia and surgery can profoundly impair respiratory function, increasing the risk of postoperative respiratory complications and acute respiratory failure. Certain comorbidities associated with obesity (e.g., metabolic syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, pulmonary disease) further increase the risk of perioperative complications. Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) is emerging as an important strategy to minimize perioperative complications. It may ameliorate obesity-related comorbidities, counteract upper airway obstruction, reduce hypoventilation and atelectasis, improve gas exchange and respiratory function, relieve dyspnea, and decrease breathing effort in obese patients in the perioperative period. Thus, NIV may lower the risk of acute respiratory failure after bariatric surgery. Selecting the appropriate interface and type of NIV is fundamental for increasing the likelihood of NIV success in such high-risk patients. NIV is a safe therapy, which should be considered in the perioperative period to help optimize the management of obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery and improve their postoperative course.

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Severe community-acquired pneumonia leads to acute respiratory failure, which may require tracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation while proper antibiotic therapy is being established. In an appropriate setting, noninvasive ventilation may be considered for patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia following careful patient selection according to the available guidelines. These patients require constant assessment, evaluating the risk factors for noninvasive ventilation failure.