Can I go under general anesthesia if I have sleep apnea?

Patients with obstructive sleep apnoea are at high risk of developing postoperative complications when having surgery or other invasive interventions under general anaesthesia. This holds true for both surgery related to obstructive sleep apnoea and unrelated surgery.

How do they keep you breathing under anesthesia?

To help you breathe and/or to help deliver general anesthesia during the operation, the anesthesiologist might use an endotracheal tube (a plastic tube that’s placed into the windpipe through the mouth or nose) or laryngeal mask airway (or LMA — a mask with a tube that fits into the back of the mouth).

What surgical procedures are used to treat obstructive sleep apnea?

Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) is the most common surgical procedure for OSA. This method removes excess tissue from the soft palate and pharynx, which are common sites of obstruction in many patients. This surgery requires an overnight stay, and the recovery time may be prolonged.

What happens if you have sleep apnea and have surgery?

It is important for surgical patients to be pre-screened for sleep apnea. Patients with sleep apnea who are undergoing any type of surgery or invasive procedures under general anesthesia are at an increased risk for developing respiratory and cardiovascular complications.

Why do they ask about sleep apnea before surgery?

Patients with sleep apnea, either obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), central, or mixed sleep apnea, may undergo surgery that necessitates an anesthetic and, because of this disorder, will require special care associated with the anesthestic.

How is general anesthesia given?

General anesthesia is an anesthetic used to induce unconsciousness during surgery. The medicine is either inhaled through a breathing mask or tube, or given through an intravenous (IV) line. A breathing tube may be inserted into the windpipe to maintain proper breathing during surgery.

When is surgery required for sleep apnea?

Your sleep team may recommend surgery if you can’t tolerate CPAP therapy, which is the most effective treatment option for sleep apnea. Some surgeries are minimally invasive, while others are more complex. The goal of surgery is to treat the areas of the airway that collapse and block your breathing during sleep.

Does anesthesia make sleep apnea worse?

Surgical patients receive sedation, anesthesia, and opioids during the perioperative period. These medicines have been shown to increase pharyngeal collapse, decrease ventilatory response, and impair the arousal response, leading to worsening of sleep apnea in the perioperative period.

What type of anesthesia is used for colonoscopy?

Most often, either moderate sedation or deep sedation with the anesthetic propofol are used for colonoscopies. An anesthesiologist is sometimes present for moderate sedation — sometimes called conscious sedation by patients, though the term is technically incorrect.