Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative management of patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

Perioperative Antibiotic Use in Sleep Surgery: Clinical Relevance

OBJECTIVE

Upper airway surgery is a common therapeutic approach recommended for patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) to decrease disease burden. We aimed to evaluate the effect of perioperative antibiotic prescription on complication rates.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective cohort (national database).

SETTING

Tertiary referral center.

METHODS

This is a retrospective study of a large national health care insurance database (Truven MarketScan) from 2007 to 2015. Subjects diagnosed with OSA who had uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) were included and stratified in single versus multilevel surgery. Other variables included smoking, age, sex, antibiotic prescription, and comorbidities based on the Elixhauser index. Evaluated outcomes were postoperative bleeding, intubation, pneumonia, superficial surgical site infection, tracheostomy, and hospital readmission. A multivariate regression model was created to assess each complication.

RESULTS

A total of 5,798,528 subjects received a diagnosis of OSA, of which 39,916 were >18 years old and underwent UPPP, either alone or with additional procedures. The mean age was 43 years, and 73.4% were male. Antibiotic prescription was associated with less bleeding in UPPP alone, UPPP with nasal surgery, and UPPP with nasal and tongue surgery (P < .001, P < .001, and P = .006, respectively). It was also associated with a lower prevalence of surgical site infection, pneumonia, tracheostomy, intubation, and hospital readmission (P < .001). On a multivariate model, antibiotic prescription was significantly associated with a decreased rate of complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Although former studies recommended against the use of antibiotics after tonsillectomy, our results suggest that antibiotic prescription after UPPP for OSA was associated with less bleeding, surgical site infection, pneumonia, intubation, tracheostomy, and hospital readmission 30 days postoperatively.

[Anaesthetic management of adult patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome]

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this review article is to update the anaesthetic management of adult patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS).

DATA SOURCES

All references obtained from the medical database Medline related to OSAS and anaesthesia from 1963 until May 2006 were reviewed. References included original articles, observations, clinical cases, and reviews published in English or in French.

DATA SYNTHESIS

The anaesthetic literature related to OSAS and anaesthesia is poor. Understanding anatomy and pathophysiology is important for an optimal anaesthetic management. Since the diagnosis is unknown in almost 80-90% of these patients, many undergo general or regional anaesthesia every day without recognition of the main dangers associated with the condition. Recognition of these patients, especially in the preanaesthetic assessment, is an essential step to prevent perioperative complications. Patients with OSAS are very sensitive to sedatives, hypnotics and opioids. The use of these drugs must be controlled and monitored. Anticipation of difficult intubation avoids complications during induction of general anaesthesia and the use of nasal CPAP decreases the incidence of respiratory complications in the perioperative period.

CONCLUSION

Further research is needed in this field of anesthesia. Intraoperative difficulties in the control of airway and postoperative cardiac and respiratory complications may happen. The use of nasal CPAP in the perioperative period makes the anaesthetic management easier and safer.

Perioperative treatment of patients with obstructive sleep apnea

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Obstructive sleep apnea is a common disorder. Despite reports of its role as a risk factor for postoperative morbidity and mortality, only a few investigators have examined the optimal treatment of patients during this vulnerable period. Recognition of obstructive sleep apnea during conscious sedation or in the perioperative period is important to prevent the occurrence of adverse outcomes. This review discusses the influence of sedative, anesthetic, and analgesic agents and other factors during the perioperative period on patients with obstructive sleep apnea. The aim of this article is to emphasize the importance of recognizing and appropriately treating surgical patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

RECENT FINDINGS

Sedative, analgesic, and anesthetic agents used perioperatively play a major role in the development of sleep-disordered breathing during the postoperative period. Postoperative apneic episodes frequently occur even after surgery remote from the upper airway. Sleep apnea predisposes patients to a greater than normal risk for postsurgical complications. Adequate screening of patients preoperatively and initiation of continuous positive airway pressure therapy perioperatively could prevent serious complications, including hypoxemia, arrhythmias, myocardial infarction, and respiratory arrest.

SUMMARY

Obstructive sleep apnea places a significant proportion of surgical patients at increased risk of perioperative complications. Obstructive sleep apnea can be induced, unmasked, or exacerbated by the effects of sedative, analgesic, and anesthetic agents regardless of the site of surgery. The role of sleep apnea as a risk factor for development of postoperative complications needs greater emphasis. Increased awareness of the risk posed by an obstructed upper airway and appropriate management are important to optimize the perioperative care of patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

The pulmonary consultation in the perioperative management of patients with neurologic diseases

Postoperative pulmonary complications greatly contribute to peri-operative morbidity and mortality. Parkinson's disease, sleep apnea, stroke and neuromuscular disorders significantly increase the risk for pulmonary postoperative complications that result from associated changes in respiratory function. This article discusses perioperative pulmonary evaluation and management of the surgical patient who has neurologic disease.

Incidence of Serious Complications After Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty

OBJECTIVES

Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) is the most common surgical treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Anatomic and physiologic abnormalities associated with OSA can make perioperative management difficult. Only single-site case series provide current estimates of the incidence of perioperative complications, with a pooled crude serious complication rate of 3.5% and a crude mortality rate of 0.4%. The primary objective of this study was to calculate the incidence of perioperative morbidity and mortality in a large, multisite cohort of UPPP patients.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective cohort study of adults undergoing inpatient UPPP with or without other concurrent procedures

METHODS

The serious complication and 30-day mortality rates were calculated from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database of prospectively collected outcomes of all VA inpatient surgeries nationally 1991 to 2001. Serious complications were defined by 15 specific life-threatening complications. Deaths were captured whether the patient was in the hospital or discharged.

RESULTS

Veteran patients (n = 3130) had a mean age of 50 years and were predominantly male (97%). The serious nonfatal complication rate was 1.5% (47/3,130) (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1%, 1.9%). The 30-day mortality rate was 0.2% (7/3130) (95% CI 0.1%, 0.4%). There was no significant effect of year of surgery or patient age on the risk of serious complication or death.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of serious nonfatal complications and 30-day mortality after UPPP are 1.5% and 0.2%, respectively, in a large cohort of UPPP patients at veteran hospitals.

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in ambulatory surgical patients

Obstructive sleep apnea in the ambulatory surgery setting has become a more significant concern in recent years because its Identification and recognition are a critical part of preoperative patients' risk assessment. The types of surgeries that can be performed on an outpatient basis have increased and include many specialty procedures that previously were performed on an inpatient basis only. Ambulatory surgery has proven to be a cost-effective alternative for patients and physicians; however, patients in this setting often have complex surgical histories. Perioperative nurses must provide a more integrated approach to patient assessment to recognize, identify, plan, and implement a course of safe care for patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Reviewing patients' histories can help nurses identify symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea, allowing them to alert the surgical team of special requirements. Ambulatory patients with identified obstructive sleep apnea will require a planned course of care. Ambulatory care facilities should have a policy in place to ensure that safe care will be provided to patients for the entire perioperative course.

Is sedation safe during dynamic sleep fluoroscopy of children with obstructive sleep apnea?

OBJECTIVE

Airway compromise is considered a relative contraindication for pediatric sedation. This contraindication presents a paradoxical problem when patients require sedation in preparation for imaging performed to evaluate the cause of airway obstruction. We use dynamic sleep fluoroscopy in the evaluation of children who have obstructive sleep apnea. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the success and safety of a structured sedation program for dynamic sleep fluoroscopy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eighty consecutive dynamic sleep fluoroscopic studies were evaluated. The type of sedation used, success rate, complications related to the sedation, and characteristics of the children studied were reviewed. Patients were sedated in accordance with our departmental sedation program guidelines. Findings on fluoroscopy were correlated with episodes of oxygen desaturation or noisy breathing.

RESULTS

In all 80 cases, dynamic sleep fluoroscopy was successfully performed. Seventy-two studies were performed, with sedation supervised by the radiologist. Four patients fell asleep without sedation. In four patients, sedation was performed by an anesthesiologist (preprocedural decision). Sixty-four children (80%) had complex medical problems, and 39 (49%) had a history of previous airway surgery. All studies were considered successful. Specific diagnoses were identified in 66 children (83%). No children suffered complications or required tracheal intubation.

CONCLUSION

Children with airway compromise who are being evaluated for obstructive sleep apnea can be successfully and safely sedated for dynamic sleep fluoroscopy when a structured sedation program is used.