Obesity and sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) are significant risk factors for airway management, necessitating comprehensive preoperative evaluation, careful preparation, and adaptive strategies to prevent complications, such as hypoxemia, during sedation and general anesthesia. We report the use of intravenous moderate/deep sedation to manage a patient with morbid obesity and severe SAS undergoing dental treatment using a high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) system. The sedation was performed with a propofol infusion and was closely monitored using bispectral index (BIS) monitoring and capnography. Preparations for general anesthesia were made in case of severe apnea or hypoxemia. No significant airway obstruction or desaturation was observed perioperatively. The successful use of a HFNC system in this patient highlights the importance of tailored preoperative planning and meticulous airway management during dental sedations for patients with severe obesity and SAS.
Onozawa et al. (Sun,) studied this question.