Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and perioperative complications: a systematic review of the literature.

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a common sleep related breathing disorder. Its prevalence is estimated to be between 2% and 25% in the general population. However, the prevalence of sleep apnea is much higher in patients undergoing elective surgery. Sedation and anesthesia have been shown to increase the upper airway collapsibility and therefore increasing the risk of having postoperative complications in these patients. Furthermore, the majority of patients with sleep apnea are undiagnosed and therefore are at risk during the perioperative period. It is important to identify these patients so that appropriate actions can be taken in a timely fashion. In this review article, we will discuss the epidemiology of sleep apnea in the surgical population. We will also discuss why these patients are at a higher risk of having postoperative complications, with the special emphasis on the role of anesthesia, opioids, sedation, and the phenomenon of REM sleep rebound. We will also review how to identify these patients preoperatively and the steps that can be taken for their perioperative management

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome and Perioperative Complications: It\u27s Time to Act Now!

Overall Goals and Objectives: 1. To understand that obstructive sleep apnea is a very common sleep related breathing disorder in surgical patients and is frequently not identified. 2. These surgical patients are at a higher risk of having perioperative complications and to understand why are these patients at a higher risk and how to identify these patients preoperatively. 3. To learn the perioperative measures that can be taken to reduce these complications. Presentation: 45 minute