Having surgery when you have sleep apnoea

[Hroot]

I suffer from a combination of central and OSA and am struggling to get advice regarding the best form of anesthetic to use when I have my hernia operation shortly. For the type of hernia I am suffering  from (inguinal) either traditional or keyhole surgery is used for the hour long operation. Keyhole requires general anesthetic (GA). Traditional can be GA, epidural or local.


Has anyone had an operation whilst suffering from SA and what was they're experience please? Also if there are any doctors on line they're advice please.


Any help appreciated from anyone that has actually experienced this problem please. Thanks.

[SarcasticDave94]

Tell the surgical team, especially the anesthesiologist, you have Complex Apnea and that they may want to be ready to tube you if necessary. I tell them every time I needed some surgical procedure and it's been fine. I had one incident in 2016 where they needed to tube me due to Apnea.

[Gideon]

Tell them what is going on and how bad you are when not on CPAP.

If for any (unforseen) you have a long recovery you will want it

When my knee was replaced I had a spinal and some form of general and they used my VAuto in the OR.

For my rear exam, the one where they look where the sun don't shine, did not use it in OR and had no need after, but it was with me.

[Geer1]

Apnea is easy for them to manage, just let them know you have it.

I assume you realize that open surgery with epidural or local anesthesia means you are awake during the surgery and as such apnea should not be present.

My opinion is that you should discuss this with your surgeon instead of us, your specific case determines what is best not our opinions or personal experiences. Which surgery is easiest for him? Which surgery has the quickest recovery? Least chance of complications?

Some quick googling makes it sound like open surgery with local anesthesia is the preferred method in basic cases but depending on hernia and patient details keyhole surgery or general anesthesia may be recommended. Here is a website with some info.

https://bostonhernia.com/faq/will-i-need...r-surgery/

[DaveCar]

I had 3 bones screwed together in my foot last year. I told the nurse in pre-op ( a week before) that I had severe apnea, and she documented it. I suspect that's why they gave me epidural. I was kinda drifting in and out, they did have a mask on me so I assume some light gas but preventing me from going fully out. Man, those epidurals work good.. I could hear hammering and drilling, but I didnt feel a thing.
Definitely tell them about your situation. They will do the right thing to accommodate.

[LindanHotAir]

I had inguinal hernia repair on one side. They used open surgery so they didn’t disturb both sides with laparoscopic surgery. The anesthesiologist was concerned about my breathing, so they used Versed which I have also heard called Twilight. I didn’t feel any pain and was about half asleep, but I could hear voices and feel movement.

[Hroot]

Hi Dave. Cheers mate. What does tubing you mean?  

[pholynyk]

>>> What does tubing you mean?

I think the docs call it 'intubate'. After you are sedated, they push a tube down your throat toward your lungs so thaat their machine can breathe for you. It generally results in a sore throat once they have finished and take it out.

[Hroot]

Cheers Dave    

[OpalRose]

I have had a couple surgeries over the last few years, and never had a problem.
I bring my machine with me, but it has never been needed.

You need to inform anyone who is human and has ears.
Discuss with your doctor/surgeon, the nurses, and especially the anesthesiologist, who you will more than likely see right before surgery.