The Management of Surgical Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a leading public health problem in both developed and developing nations. However, awareness regarding diagnostic options, management, and consequences of untreated OSA remains inadequate in the perioperative period. Adverse surgical outcomes appear to be more frequent in OSA patients. Immediate postoperative complications may be partially attributed to the negative effects of sedative, analgesic, and anesthetic agents that can worsen OSA by decreasing pharyngeal tone and the arousal responses to hypoxia, hypercarbia, and obstruction. Rebound rapid eye movement sleep after anesthesia and the use of opioids may contribute to adverse events in the postoperative period. Even though data to guide clinicians in the perioperative period is scarce, heightened awareness is recommended.