title: Incidence of pulmonary edema after tracheotomy for obstructive sleep apnea.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The phenomenon of postobstructive pulmonary edema (POPE) has been associated with the relief of upper airway obstruction, which itself is fundamental to the pathophysiology of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). A review of patients with OSA undergoing tracheotomy was performed to characterize this process.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective chart review of study patients with OSA undergoing tracheotomy and of control patients without OSA undergoing tracheotomy for unrelated problems. Chest radiographs were reviewed in a double-blind fashion to score posttracheotomy changes in pulmonary status.
  
  
  METHODS
  Academic tertiary referral center.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty (67%) of 45 OSA patients treated by tracheotomy had evidence of POPE, whereas only 5 (20%) of 25 control group patients had increased pulmonary edema. The remaining 15 (33%) of 45 OSA patients and 20 (80%) of 25 control patients had either no change or an improved pulmonary status. Those with OSA that developed POPE were mostly graded as having mild pulmonary edema (22/30, 73%). Far fewer were graded as having moderate pulmonary edema (6/30, 20%), and fewer still with severe pulmonary edema (2/30, 7%). Two (7%) of 45 patients with severe POPE died of complications related to cor pulmonale in the postoperative period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results support maintaining a high index of suspicion for the development of postobstructive pulmonary edema in patients treated for OSA. Treatment options, such as positive pressure ventilation and diuresis, and an increased awareness of this condition may help reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with treatment of this disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Wake Forest University Medical School, USA. alanjcburke@hotmail.com
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Burke
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Duke
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Clyne
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Khoury
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chiles
authors.forename: B L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Matthews
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D011654:Pulmonary Edema / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000601:surgery*; D014140:Tracheotomy / Q000009:adverse effects*