Efficacy of high flow nasal cannula as an alternative to continuous positive airway pressure therapy in surgical patients with suspected moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea.

Purpose: To compare the efficacy of High flow nasal cannula (HFNC) as an alternative to Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy on the first postoperative night in patients with suspected moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Methods: This is randomised controlled trial conducted in a tertiary hospital which included elective surgical patients with STOP-BANG score of 5 and above. Forty patients were randomised into one of the four postoperative treatment groups: CPAP, or HFNC at three different flow rates (20 L/min, 30 L/min and 40 L/min).

Postoperative cardiorespiratory complications and continuous positive airway pressure efficacy in obese patients undergoing noncardiac surgery.

Background And Aims: One in six Singaporeans has obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) due to obesity compounded by inherent craniofacial features. We assessed the incidence of cardiopulmonary complications and the effectiveness of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy in minimising such complications within an obese population.

Methods: A retrospective study of elective noncardiac surgical patients with a body mass index ≥32 kg/m was conducted.

Postoperative use of high flow nasal insufflation for obstructive sleep apnea.

Background: Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is the gold standard treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), although, associated with poor patient compliance. Conversely, high flow, humidified, temperature-regulated nasal insufflation of oxygen or air is well tolerated.

Case: We describe our experience of three patients with known or suspected moderate to severe OSA who were poorly compliant to CPAP therapy and received high flow nasal insufflation (HFNI) postoperatively.