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RE: Having surgery when you have sleep apnoea - Hroot - 03-08-2022
Thanks. With general anesthetic or epidural?
RE: Having surgery when you have sleep apnoea - dlong0609 - 03-08-2022
As a surgeon, I performed thousands of inguinal hernia repairs."Keyhole", or more accurately laparoscopic repair, requires inflation of the abdominal cavity with carbon dioxide gas. This almost always requires the use of general anesthesia and tracheal intubation.
There are so called "open" techniques that can be performed under local anesthesia quite comfortably, especially if augmented with administration of an intravenous sedative, with an anesthesiologist or anesthetist monitoring vital signs and oxygen saturation. This is sometimes referred to as monitored anesthesia care. Regional anesthesia, more accurately referred to as epidural or spinal anesthesia, will temporarily suspend all sensation roughly below the naval. Again, the services of an anesthesia professional is required.
For my own hernia surgery, I chose local anesthesia with monitored anesthesia care. For a recent knee replacement, I chose epidural. On each occasion, I received an intravenous sedative immediately before the needle insertion, and have little or no recollection of any discomfort related to the procedure. I used my CPAP machine only during the first postop night, in the surgery center.
Sleep apnea is only one of many health related issues to be considered in planning surgery, and in my opinion, often of lesser importance.
RE: Having surgery when you have sleep apnoea - Geer1 - 03-08-2022
Epidural just blocks pain and does not affect breathing, you stay awake and breath on your own.
Intubation would be for general anesthesia if required to keep your airway open.
RE: Having surgery when you have sleep apnoea - Homerec130 - 03-08-2022
When I had my back surgery, I told the doc and the gas-passer (can't spell the real name). In my pre-appointment meetings I mentioned it and was told to bring my mask, and not my machine as they had one they would use for the one night I was there. They also rigged a remote O2 sensor on my finger so they could track my levels. I think I slept all of about 3 hours that night.
When my wife had her fall and was in rehab, they had her bring her machine in and use it. It took them the better part of a day to check it out to make sure it fit their electrical standards.
RE: Having surgery when you have sleep apnoea - Rcgop - 03-08-2022
I too had hernia repair and my dr told me to bring my machine and leave it in the car. It would only be used if I spent the night.
RE: Having surgery when you have sleep apnoea - Deborah K. - 03-08-2022
I had abdominal surgery and was knocked out completely. The hospital had me bring my mask, but they told me not to bring my machine as they would provide a pap machine for me to use, as I needed to stay overnight.
RE: Having surgery when you have sleep apnoea - SarcasticDave94 - 03-08-2022
My tube, or intubation, was sent through my nose mid surgery while I was out. Anesthesiologist told me he had to do it without details. Likely my Central Apnea. Nose bled a slight bit afterward.
RE: Having surgery when you have sleep apnoea - pickettsalem - 03-09-2022
Often times if the surgery is expected to be lengthy, they will intubate you. The longer the surgery, the sorer your throat may be. I've had short surgeries without CPAP or intubation, and the hardest part is suffering SA when coming out of anesthesia in the recovery room. That is when I've requested that the CPAP be available as it makes recovery easier. Just bring your tubing and pressure settings.
RE: Having surgery when you have sleep apnoea - Homerec130 - 03-09-2022
For my surgery they said if we needed the machine they would either use the settings I brought or just run it on auto. Interesting part was my mask didn't fit their connector. I couldn't really sleep anyways, so I did crossword puzzles most of the night and watched the weather channel. Only called the nurse when I really needed something and tried to do several things at the same time. Actually got her to bring me a cup of coffee at about 3 am and we sat and chatted while when she brought mine back and had hers. Slow night on the floor.
RE: Having surgery when you have sleep apnoea - SarcasticDave94 - 03-09-2022
BTW when I had double kyphoplasty on L2 and L4, I used my ASV while the surgeon used hammer, chisel, and balloons on the damaged bones.