Anesthesiology
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Combination therapy of high-flow nasal cannula and upper body elevation for postoperative sleep disordered breathing; randomized cross-over trial.
The low acceptance rate of continuous positive airway pressure therapy in postoperative patients with untreated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) indicates the necessity for development of an alternative postoperative airway management strategy. The authors considered whether the combination of high-flow nasal cannula and upper-body elevation could improve postoperative OSA. ⋯ The combination of high-flow nasal cannula and upper-body elevation reduced OSA severity and nocturnal hypoxemia, suggesting a role for it as an alternate postoperative airway management strategy.