Preoperative Assessment of Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea - Implications for Anesthesiologists

Background: Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a sleep-disordered breathing, with high prevalence among patients who are about to be operated. The anatomical and clinical characteristics of OSA play a major role in the development of complications of the anesthesia process. However, OSA remains undiagnosed. The STOP-BANG questionnaire is used to identify OSA. The aim of the current study was to identify patients with OSA risk factors among patients who were about to have an elective surgery.