Preoperative identification of children at high risk of obstructive sleep apnoea.

Preoperative identification of children at high risk of obstructive sleep apnoea. Paediatr Anaesth. 2019 Dec 16;: Authors: Ohn M, Eastwood P, von Ungern-Sternberg BS Abstract Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a common childhood disorder which can lead to serious health problems if left untreated. Enlarged adenoid and tonsils are the commonest causes and adenotonsillectomy is the recommended first line of treatment. OSA poses as an anaesthetic challenge and it is a well-known risk factor for perioperative adverse events. The presence and severity of OSA diagnosis will influence anaesthesia, pain management and level of monitoring in recovery period. Preoperative OSA assessment is necessary and anaesthetists are ideally placed to do so. Currently, there is no standardized approach to the best method of preoperative screening for OSA. Focused history, clinical assessments and knowledge regarding the strengths and limitations of available OSA assessment tools will help recognise a child with OSA in preoperative setting. PMID: 31841240 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Paediatric Anaesthesia - Category: Anesthesiology Authors: Tags: Paediatr Anaesth Source Type: research