Preoperative and postoperative management of obstructive sleep apnea patients

Safe perioperative management of patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) requires special attention to preoperative and postoperative care. Patients with OSA are more likely to have comorbidities including hypertension, esophageal and laryngopharyngeal reflux disease, coronary artery disease, and obesity. Obesity may also contribute to deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary emboli. OSA increases the risk for anesthetic and postoperative complications. The recommendations for measures for preoperative and postoperative management of OSA presented in this article are based on a culmination of 20 years experience supported by the peer-reviewed medical literature.