Table of Contents

ABSTRACT

Sleep apnea is an underdiagnosed condition that plagues many individuals in the United States of America. In terms of surgery, sleep apnea is a comorbidity that may lead to postoperative complications. Various methods have been used to decrease postoperative complications. One such application is the use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). The aim of this study was to provide information on whether secondary prevention (via questionnaire screenings) and tertiary prevention (via postoperative CPAP administration in all sleep apnea patients) could lead to better health outcomes. In this study, the researcher conducted computer searches of the Cochrane library, PubMed and Science Direct databases. The medical subject headings (MeSH) keywords were sleep apnea syndromes and CPAP, and general surgery or preoperative care or postoperative care or postoperative complications or length of stay. English language articles from 2009 onwards were selected for review. Inclusion and exclusion criteria addressed which articles were selected for this narrative review. Review of the literature yielded 86 results. This was further narrowed down to 28 results. They were then analyzed into the following categories: CPAP use, preoperative care, postoperative care, postoperative complications and length of stay. In conclusion, sleep apnea should be screened for in all preoperative patients and CPAP should be used more in the postoperative setting.

Keywords: Sleep apnea, continuous positive airway pressure, preoperative care, postoperative care, and postoperative complications