title: Postoperative pulse oximetry of patients in maxillomandibular fixation.
abstract: Following oral and maxillofacial surgery requiring maxillomandibular fixation (MMF), patients are at risk for respiratory problems that may result in decreased arterial oxygen saturation. As a pilot study, oxygen saturation was continuously monitored for 36 hours in 34 patients having 37 procedures requiring MMF. There were 28 hypoxic episodes in 12 patients. These observations emphasize the need for continuous respiratory monitoring during the postoperative period for patients in MMF, even when supplemental oxygen is used.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of California, San Francisco 94143-0440.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: T B
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Dodson
authors.forename: N H
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Cohen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology; D007103:Immobilization; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D056948:Orthognathic Surgical Procedures; D010092:Oximetry; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000097:blood*