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Preoxygenation in children: for how long?
Author(s) -
Videira R. L. R.,
Neto P. P. R.,
Amaral R. V. Gomide,
Freeman J. A.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
acta anaesthesiologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.738
H-Index - 107
eISSN - 1399-6576
pISSN - 0001-5172
DOI - 10.1111/j.1399-6576.1992.tb03433.x
Subject(s) - medicine , anesthesia , pulse oximetry , airway
Although preoxygenation has been extensively studied, to our knowledge this is the first study addressing its optimal length in children, who form a high risk group for developing hypoxaemia during induction of anaesthesia. Recommended preoxygenation times in children range between 1 and 4 min, but whether one of these times maintains arterial oxygen saturation (Sao 2 ) at an adequate level for a longer time period is unknown. This study was performed on 11 healthy children, randomly distributed into either Group 1 (1 min of preoxygenation, n = 6) or Group 2 (3 min of preoxygenation, n = 5). Sao 2 was measured by pulse oximetry. While the patients were breathing room air, Sao 2 was similar in both groups (97%) and rose to 100% after preoxygenation in all patients. After intravenous induction of anaesthesia and muscle relaxation, all patients became apnoeic. The time taken for the Sao 2 to decrease to 90% was measured. In Group 1 this occurred in 91 s, whereas Group 2 required 144 s. Thus, a 3‐min rather than a 1‐min period of preoxygenation would appear to maintain Sao 2 at a safe level for a longer time in children.