Day-surgery adult patients with obesity and obstructive sleep apnea: Current controversies and concerns

Abstract

Obesity and obstructive sleep apnea are considered independent risk factors that can adversely affect perioperative outcomes. A combination of these two conditions in the ambulatory surgery patient can pose significant challenges for the anesthesiologist. Nevertheless, these patients should not routinely be denied access to ambulatory surgery. Instead, patients should be appropriately optimized. Anesthesiologists and surgeons must work together to implement fast-track anesthetic and surgical techniques that will ensure successful ambulatory outcomes.

Keywords: ambulatory surgery; enhance recovery after ambulatory surgery; obesity; obstructive sleep apnea; patient safety; patient selection.