Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder that may first be diagnosed when a surgical patient presents for preadmission testing. OSA is characterized by partial or complete obstruction of the upper airway during sleep and can present significant problems in the perioperative period, including difficult airways, increased sensitivity to anesthetic agents, and postoperative adverse events. Assessment tools are available to help facilities identify and manage patients at high risk for this condition.
