Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty for sleep apnea in mentally retarded obese 14‐year‐old: an anaesthetic challenge

Abstract

Anaesthetic management of patients with obstructive sleep apnea for upper airway surgery has always been a challenging task. We report our anaesthetic approach for a young, mentally retarded obese patient with documented obstructive sleep apnea undergoing uvulopalatopharyngoplasty. The therapeutic intervention before, during and after operation is discussed.

Non‐pharmacological management of problematic sleeping in children with developmental disabilities

“…Patient history and previous management strategies were discussed in two out of the five studies. Many different types of measures were used, including polysomnography two studies …”

“…Furthermore, the combination of approaches was unrelated to developmental disability type ( χ 2 (24)=26.9, p =0.31). In general, 74.4% of the studies involved largely behavioural approaches, 13.3% incorporated some ‘equipment’, and 12.2% were surgical approaches . Table , the alphabetical listing of commonly applied behavioural approaches to problematic paediatric sleeping, shows considerable overlap with the management approaches implemented in a population with developmental disabilities.…”

“…In general, 74.4% of the studies involved largely behavioural approaches, 13.3% incorporated some 'equipment', 18,57,66,72,77,103,[115][116][117][118]120,123 and 12.2% were surgical approaches. 101,[104][105][106][107][108][109][110]113,114,121 Table I, the alphabetical listing of commonly applied behavioural approaches to problematic paediatric sleeping, shows considerable overlap with the management approaches implemented in a population with developmental disabilities. Apart from sleep ecology management, few approaches were specifically created for children with developmental disabilities.…”