A Case Report on the Anaesthetic Management of Dexmedetomidine-Induced Sleep Endoscopy and Transoral Robotic Surgery for the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea

Abstract

A 44-year-old male presented with severe obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) which persisted despite septoplasty, inferior turbinectomy, uvulopalatopharyngoplasty and tonsillectomy. He underwent a diagnostic drug-induced sleep endoscopy which showed his tongue base as another source of obstruction. This was followed by the first transoral robotic surgery (TORS) of the tongue base performed in our centre. We discuss the novel use of dexmedetomidine for drug-induced sleep endoscopy and the anaesthetic management of this challenging group of patients undergoing this new surgical procedure.