[Cataract surgery in a patient with severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome]

This case report describes airway management during cataract surgery for a patient with known severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Surgery could not be performed using a pure local anesthetic procedure because of the psychological history of the patient. In consideration of the severity of the patient's sleep apnea syndrome, we chose an anesthetic procedure that would compromise the upper airway as little as possible. For respiratory strategy, the patient's own nasal CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) equipment was used. Anesthesia was maintained with continuous infusion of propofol and remifentanil while the patient was breathing spontaneously. The patient was transferred to the recovery room where nasal CPAP was continued for 1 h until the patient was returned to the ward.