COMPARATIVE STUDY OF REGIONAL VS GENERAL ANESTHESIA IN OBESE PATIENTS WITH A HISTORY OF OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA (OSA) IN GENERAL SURGERY

Abstract

Background:

Obese patients with a history of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) undergoing general surgery are at a heightened risk for postoperative respiratory complications. Anesthetic technique selection regional versus general plays a crucial role in minimizing these risks. The present study compared postoperative outcomes, respiratory events, opioid consumption, and recovery profiles between regional and general anesthesia in obese OSA patients.

Methods:

It was a quantitative comparative study carried out on 50 obese patients who had a history of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and were subjected to general surgical operations. The respondents were split into two categories according to the kind of anesthesia performed in general anesthesia (n = 26) and regional anesthesia (n = 24). The descriptive statistics were used to summarize demographic and clinical variables. Categorical variables were the results of postoperative respiratory problems, such as postoperative hypoxia, supplemental oxygen use, and airway complications. The Chi-square test was used to determine the associations between anesthesia type and postoperative outcomes. Mean and standard deviation were used to summarize continuous variables (body mass index (BMI) and neck circumference). It was regarded as statistically significant with a p-value of less than 0.05 and the statistical analysis was done with the SPSS version 27.0.

Results:

Patients under regional anesthesia exhibited significantly lower rates of respiratory complications (p < 0.05), reduced opioid requirements (p < 0.001), and shorter PACU and hospital stays (p < 0.001) compared with those under general anesthesia. PONV incidence was notably less in the regional group (p = 0.041). Patient satisfaction was significantly higher among regional anesthesia recipients (p = 0.008). Chi-square and Mann Whitney U results demonstrated a consistent advantage of regional techniques for perioperative safety and recovery efficiency.

Conclusion:

Regional anesthesia provides superior postoperative respiratory stability, minimizes opioidrelated complications, and enhances overall recovery in obese OSA patients undergoing general surgery. Implementation of regional techniques, where feasible, can reduce ICU admissions and improve patient outcomes.

Recommendations: Regional anesthesia should be prioritized for obese OSA patients undergoing general surgery to minimize respiratory complications and enhance recovery.

Standardized preoperative screening for OSA must guide anesthesia planning and postoperative monitoring.Multimodal ,opioid-sparing analgesia should be used to prevent hypoxia and improve comfort.Regular training for anesthesia teams is essential to ensure competence in regional techniques.Further research should focus on long-term safety, costeffectiveness, and patient satisfaction outcomes.