Perioperative Complications in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Abstract

Recent literature is full of studies that have brought forth several perioperative concerns in patients with known or suspected obstructive sleep apnea. These issues were first reported as independent observations or case series, until data emerged from single centers and were more recently confirmed from analysis of large databases of hospitalized patients undergoing elective surgery. Among these, the concerns raised most often are those of difficult intubation and postoperative respiratory complications requiring reintubation and mechanical ventilation; positive airway pressure therapy, unplanned critical care service admission or prolonged intensive care unit or hospital stay. Others have reported cardiac events and unexpected/unexplained postoperative mortality. While all possible postoperative complications are not yet fully established or understood, the prevention and management of these complications may sometimes not be as challenging.