Is that snoring something to worry about? Anesthetic implications for obstructive sleep apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a chronic disease that is underdiagnosed. It is characterized by repetitive pauses in breathing during sleep that can last for several seconds and can subsequently cause hypoxia-related complications. This apnea can lead to significant medical problems, daytime somnolence, cognitive impairment, decreased work productivity, and an increased risk of motor vehicle crashes. Patients having diagnostic procedures or surgeries in which sedation or anesthesia will be received should be evaluated for OSA to prevent or reduce postoperative complications. The Berlin Questionnaire and the STOP-BANG Questionnaire are useful tools that can be used preoperatively to identify patients at risk for surgical complications. If patients who have OSA or who are at risk for having OSA are identified before surgery, anesthesia providers can take action to prevent perioperative complications. Guidelines published by the American Society of Anesthesiologists provide helpful anesthetic considerations for patients with OSA undergoing surgery in an effort to decrease morbidity and mortality. While research into the effects of surgery and anesthesia in patients affected by OSA is ongoing, compliance with these recommendations, along with vigilance, will help ensure that many patients with OSA can be managed safely during their surgical experiences.