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Dr Ed HalveySpecialist anaesthetist, Perth

Before surgerySleep apnoea

Sleep apnoea and your anaesthetic

If you have obstructive sleep apnoea, or think you might, a few simple steps help keep you safe around your anaesthetic. The most important are to tell the team and to bring your CPAP machine.

Perth, Western Australia
Tell the team

If you have sleep apnoea, or you snore loudly and stop breathing in your sleep.

Bring your machine

Your CPAP machine, mask, tubing and power lead, labelled with your name.

After surgery

Extra monitoring of your breathing and oxygen levels.

Pain relief

A plan that uses less of the medicines that cause drowsiness.

General information only. This page is not personal medical advice. Always follow the instructions from Dr Halvey, your surgeon and the hospital, including the times your hospital gives you.

What is obstructive sleep apnoea?

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a condition where the throat narrows or closes during sleep. Breathing becomes shallow or stops for short periods, oxygen levels fall, and you partly wake to start breathing again. Many people with OSA do not know they have it.

Why it matters for your anaesthetic

Anaesthetic medicines, strong pain medicines (opioids) and sleeping tablets relax the muscles of the throat and can reduce the drive to breathe. In people with OSA, this can make breathing pauses more frequent or longer. Sleep is often disturbed for several nights after surgery, so the effects can continue after you leave the operating theatre.

Knowing about your OSA lets the team plan your anaesthetic, monitoring and pain relief.

Tell the team

Tell Dr Halvey and the hospital if:

  • you have been diagnosed with sleep apnoea, and what treatment you use
  • you snore loudly, or someone has seen you stop breathing or gasp in your sleep
  • you often feel very sleepy during the day, or wake with headaches.

You may be asked some questions to check for sleep apnoea. Sometimes Dr Halvey may suggest seeing your GP or a sleep specialist before planned surgery.

Bring your CPAP machine

If you use CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) or a similar machine, bring it to hospital. Your own machine and mask will be the most familiar and comfortable for you.

  • Bring the machine, mask, tubing, humidifier chamber and power lead.
  • Label each part with your name.
  • Know your settings, or bring a note of them.
  • If you use a mouth splint (oral appliance) for sleep apnoea, bring that too.

Use your machine in recovery and on the ward whenever you sleep, including daytime naps. Ask the nurses to help you set it up.

After surgery

  • Your breathing and oxygen levels will be monitored more closely. You may be given extra oxygen.
  • Sitting propped up, or sleeping on your side, can help keep your airway open.
  • Depending on your operation, your OSA and your pain relief, you may need to stay in hospital overnight or longer. Some people with OSA are not suitable for day surgery. The hospital team will advise you.

Pain relief choices

Dr Halvey will plan your pain relief to keep you comfortable while using less of the medicines that cause drowsiness. This may include:

  • local anaesthetic, a nerve block or a spinal, where it suits the operation
  • regular paracetamol and, if suitable for you, an anti-inflammatory medicine
  • strong pain medicines (opioids) used carefully, at the lowest dose that controls your pain.

Tell your nurse if you feel very drowsy.

At home

  • Keep using your CPAP machine every time you sleep.
  • Take strong pain medicines only as prescribed, and stop them as soon as you can.
  • Avoid alcohol and sleeping tablets while you are taking strong pain medicines.
  • Have another adult with you, especially on the first night.
Call 000 if someone with you notices that you are very hard to wake, are breathing very slowly or have long pauses in your breathing, or your lips look blue.
Questions before your surgery? Contact the rooms on (08) 6267 6200. For health advice at any time, call healthdirect on 1800 022 222. In an emergency call 000.