[Perioperative risk in patients with sleep apnoea]

Patients with upper airway obstruction during sleep are at constant risk of hypoxic and hypercarbic episodes and are especially vulnerable during anaesthesia and sedation as the abnormal anatomy is compounded by drug-related respiratory depression. Elective procedures in patients with the obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) should be usually delayed, allowing for the preoperative home treatment (diet, alcohol abstinence, nasal CPAP/BiPAP during night). Respiratory supportive techniques, started at home, should be continued in the hospital, both in preoperative and postoperative periods. Patients with OSA should be also thoroughly examined for possible anatomic abnormalities of the upper airway that may complicate laryngoscopy and/or intubation. Heavy premedication should be avoided; in special cases of very nervous patients oral clonidine may be used. Careful preoxygenation is mandatory, opioids should be used sparingly. Muscle relaxant should be calculated for an ideal body weight. Isoflurane should be avoided. The OPS and obese patients are usually extubated in the sitting or lateral positions to avoid limitation of FRC by elevated diaphragm. In selected cases, prolonged intubation and/or ventilation are recommended. Regional anaesthesia are usually safe in these patients, however, opioids should be used carefully. When sedation is required, ketamine or dexmedetomidine may be used.