The anesthesiologist should consider all the risk factors and presenting symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea. When in doubt as to the presence of sleep apnea OSA, the patient should be treated as if it is present (and consider whether it is appropriate to delay surgery until the OSA has been diagnosed and treated). Anesthesiologist should provide appropriate postoperative monitoring and CPAP should be used in the recovery room and in the patients room. It can never be overemphasized that with meticulous preparation, careful maintenance of the airway during surgery, and postoperative vigilance, anesthesia can be delivered safely on obstructive sleep apnea patients. Lastly, the anesthesiologists also have an important role to help increase the recognition of the obstructive sleep apnea among their patients by through screening and to take the necessary steps, including informing hospital staff and family members of the precarious relationship between obstructive sleep apnea and anesthesia. (Author)
ANESTHESIA ; SLEEP APNEA, OBSTRUCTIVE