Dual effects of leptin in perioperative gas exchange of morbidly obese patients

Leptin has shown positive effects on respiratory function in experimental settings. The role of leptin on perioperative respiratory function in morbidly obese patients has not been established. We performed a retrospective analysis of morbidly obese patients undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. Fasting serum leptin and interleukin (IL)-6 were measured preoperatively, and arterial blood gases were obtained pre- and postoperatively. Outcome variables were arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2), arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2), and differences in PaO2 and PaCO2 between pre- and postoperative values (ΔPaO2, ΔPaCO2; postoperative minus preoperative). Patients with lower (