Getting surgery, but I have sleep apnea, and I'm afraid of dying on the operating table because of it?

Question

Ok, I'm going to have a wisdom tooth cut out of my head, and I have sleep apnea.
Which means, every minute or so, my throat closes, and after a minute or so, my brain says "hey idiot, you're suffocating" and I gasp and get a breath of air.
All this happens without me waking up. I have a CPAP machine, but I can't use that while someone's operating in my mouth.

So if I'm put under anesthesia, won't that mean that my brain will be too out of it to wake me up? If this happens, my heart will stop, because I won't be breathing. Do they put a tube down my windpipe to keep it open?
I'm serious, how does this work?
Is this possibly the explanation for people who die during routine surgeries for no apparent reason?
I'm very afraid here, and I keep hearing "oh, I'm sure it will be fine" from people, but nobody can tell me WHY it should be fine.

... No, I can't have CPAP on during oral surgery, because for CPAP to work, you can't have your mouth open.
It's the pressure from the closed system that keeps your throat open. Having my mouth open, would be like deflating a balloon, which is how CPAP works.

Answer 1

You do not necessarily have to be sedated to have this surgery. You need to inform your dentist of the sleep apnea. I have had all four of my wisdom teeth removed. When the first was done I was fully awake the other three at once I had to be sedated. Just tell you dentist that you want to remain awake. I did a search on your concern here is a support forum you may want to read up on others previous concerns and ones who have answered their questions. I hope all will go well. www.apneasupport.org/about4683.html

Answer 2

Let's preface this by telling you that I'm a respiratory therapist. Depending upon the oral surgeon they may opt to just numb the area with a local and excavate the tooth due to your apnea with you completely awake. Not pleasant but practical. If they decide to 'tube' you they start with placing an IV and giving you a mild sedative, then an anesthesiologist will put the tube into your mouth and through your vocal cords into the main bronchus. This establishes a patent air way and they can ventilate you while the surgeon works on the tooth. When everything is over they stop giving you sedating medication, you start to wake up and they pull out the tube. Please note the the sedative has a amnesic effect. This means that you won't remember most of what happens. It also means that you'll need someone to drive on the day of the procedure. If you have concerns call the doctors office before you have it done and discuss it with him. Make sure you know exactly which method will be performed. webmd.com is another good source for additional information. Good luck.

Answer 3

I'm a polysomnographer (sleep tech). I see sleep apnea patients day in and day out. Some seriously horrible patients. First, remember that you probably had sleep apnea years before you even knew you had it and was just fine. Second, even if you are totally sedated which I do advise to be, you are still going to be on your back and elevated for maybe an hour. Being elevated creates less of blockage to your airway passages results in less obstructive apnea. Most positions to be in is flat on your back, if you are an apnea patients. And you will be in hands of a license doctor. You have no reasons to worry.

Answer 4

You CAN use a CPAP machine while someone is operating on your mouth.

There are several types of nasal masks for CPAP machines.

If your oral surgeon uses Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas) he/she already has at least one that will probably fit your CPAP.