Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery makes Obstructive Sleep Apnea Worse or Better?: a Multi-Center Observational Study in Patients with Obesity

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is highly prevalent in the bariatric surgical population, with rates ranging from 50 to 70%. The impact of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) on OSA and its associated risk factors remain relatively understudied. The aim of this study is to assess the effect of LSG on OSA and investigate predictors of new or worsening OSA postoperatively. Additionally, the study aims to provide evidence for the individualized selection of LSG procedures based on patient characteristics.

This multi-center observational study enrolled 119 patients with obesity who underwent LSG and were subdivided into two groups based on their preoperative AHI: AHI < 15 and AHI ≥ 15. The patients were followed up and evaluated before and 30 days after LSG. The study utilized univariate and multivariate analyses to assess risk factors for postoperative AHI development.

Following LSG, there was a significant decrease in the mean AHI, leading to the resolution of OSA symptoms in 67.6% of patients with AHI ≥ 15. Neck circumference and the number of METS were also identified as independent risk factors for postoperative OSA. Furthermore, preoperative hypertension was found to be a significant predictor of new or worsened OSA after LSG.

LSG demonstrated effectiveness in improving OSA among patients with obesity. The study highlights the importance of preoperative hypertension evaluation and postoperative management in patients undergoing LSG. Further long-term, multicenter, and large-scale studies are recommended to validate and generalize these findings to diverse patient populations.