This survey study elucidates the heterogeneity of preoperative screening for and postoperative care of veterans with OSA. Future investigators may use these data to formalize institutional policies with regard to patients with OSA, with potentially significant impacts on patient care and usage of financial resources.

This survey shows that outpatient surgery for patients with sleep apnea is common practice in Germany. It is also performed when patients have moderate or severe OSAS and for respiratory tract surgery. This means that the management is not conform to the guidelines of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA).