POSTOPERATIVE CENTRAL SLEEP-APNEA COMPLICATING CERVICAL LAMINECTOMY -CASE-REPORT

Breathing disorders following decompressive laminectomy for cervical. stenosis are rare. We report a case of postoperative central apnoea fo llowing cervical laminectomy, and discuss the aetiology, management an d potential relationship between upper cervical surgery and sleep apno ea:; Preoperative evaluation of respiratory function, intraoperative m onitoring and caution with sedative and anaesthetic drug use is import ant and the need for postoperative apnoea monitoring in cases with cri tical upper cervical compression with compromised breathing is emphasi zed.