Awake Nasal Fiber-optic Intubation of Severely Obese Patients in Lateral Position

Airway management in severely obese patients remains a challenging issue for anesthetists and may lead to life-threatening situations. Awake Fiber-Optic Bronchoscopy Intubation (FOBI) technique is considered as the gold standard when a difficult airway is anticipated to secure the airway and to facilitate the surgery. FOBI is usually done in supine position, while (in conscious patients) lateral position is the most recommended position to keep the upper airway patent. This prospective clinical trial study will test whether awake FOBI in Lateral position will provide a safe profile or a significant advantage over FOBI in supine position, in morbidly obese patients undergoing elective bariatric surgery. The main outcome is success rate and duration of the procedure. Secondary outcomes are oxygenation maintenance, hemodynamic stability, airway complication, sedation score, and postoperative airway morbidity in 6 hours after surgery.