Obesity Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Obesity, including details on health, diet, prevention, exercise.

Topical anesthesia-induced methemoglobinemia in bariatric surgery patients.

Carrodeguas L, Szomstein S, Jacobs J, Arias F, Antozzi P, Soto F, Zundel N, Whipple O, Simpfendorfer C, Gordon R, Villares A, Rosenthal RJ

The Bariatric Institute, Weston, FL, USA.

Methemoglobinemia leads to rapid oxygen desaturation, requiring prompt recognition and treatment. We present two severely obese patients who developed methemoglobinemia following the use of topical or local anesthetic. This complication was detected by analysis of arterial blood gases, and was successfully treated with methylene blue i.v. and 100% O2 supplementation.

Published 1 April 2005 in Obes Surg, 15(2): 282-5.
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