STOP-Bang

Medical abbreviation · Anesthesia

STOP-Bang
Stands forSnoring, Tiredness, Observed apnea, Pressure, BMI, Age, Neck size, Gender (questionnaire)
CategoriesMedical

STOP-Bang stands for Snoring, Tiredness, Observed apnea, Pressure, BMI, Age, Neck size, Gender (questionnaire), an anesthesia abbreviation.

Eight-item screening questionnaire for obstructive sleep apnea used before surgery, scoring snoring, daytime tiredness, observed apneas, high blood pressure, BMI over 35, age over 50, neck circumference over 40 cm and male gender. Scores of 5 to 8 indicate high risk.

Example: STOP-Bang 6: presumed moderate to severe OSA; minimize opioids, continuous pulse oximetry post-op.

Usage notes

Developed by Frances Chung and colleagues in Toronto and published in 2008. Undiagnosed sleep apnea raises the risk of airway problems and breathing events after anesthesia, especially with opioids. Patients who already use CPAP are asked to bring their machines on the day of surgery.

More anesthesia abbreviations

  • PDPH – Post-dural puncture headache
  • PNB – Peripheral nerve block
  • PONV – Postoperative nausea and vomiting
  • RCRI – Revised Cardiac Risk Index
  • SAB – Subarachnoid block (spinal anesthesia)
  • SGA – Supraglottic airway
  • Sux – Succinylcholine
  • TAP – Transversus abdominis plane (block)
  • TCI – Target-controlled infusion
  • TIVA – Total intravenous anesthesia
  • TOF – Train-of-four
  • VAE – Venous air embolism

See all 34 anesthesia abbreviations →

Edited by the AbbreviationList.com team. Spotted an error or a missing meaning? Contact us.

This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.