Preoperative evaluation of obstructive sleep apnea: Home sleep testing versus laboratory testing

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a highly prevalent condition affecting 24% of men and 9% of women, is associated with many comorbidities. Patients with OSA are at increased risk for postoperative respiratory and cardiovascular complications, resulting in the need for increased levels of monitoring and longer hospitalizations. Most patients at risk for OSA, however, remain undiagnosed or untreated, placing the surgical patient with OSA at risk for postoperative complications. Diagnostic testing for OSA can be performed using in-laboratory polysomnography (PSG) or limited-channel portable monitoring (PM). This article addresses the use of PM and in-laboratory PSG in the assessment of OSA.