Background: A common disorder marked by repeated bouts of either partial or total upper airway obstruction during sleep is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Undiagnosed OSA increases risks of complex airway management, surgical respiratory failure, and severe cardiovascular events and presents difficulties in perioperative management. This study aimed to assess the frequency and determinants of difficult airways among patients with undiagnosed OSA following general anaesthesia in ENT and general operations.
Materials and Methods: Fifty patients were enrolled and divided into two groups: the OSA group (STOP-BANG score >3) and the Non-OSA group (STOP-BANG score <3>
Results: The OSA group exhibited significantly higher age (42 vs. 36 years, p=0.016), BMI (30.3 vs. 24.7, p<0 p=0.001>
Conclusion: This study highlights the elevated risk of perioperative airway complications in patients with undiagnosed OSA. The STOP-BANG questionnaire proves to be an effective screening tool for identifying patients at higher risk of these complications. Early identification and management of OSA in surgical patients could significantly improve postoperative outcomes.
Keywords: Airway management, Intubation, Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), Respiratory failure.
