Time to reconsider the pre-oxygenation during induction of anaesthesia.
Atelectasis is a frequent finding in paralysed and mechanically ventilated patients. Atelectasis, causing shunt, impairs oxygenation and could contribute to postoperative pulmonary complications. Pre-oxygenation used during anaesthesia induction causes atelectasis. A lowering of oxygen fraction from 100% to 80% does not shorten the safety time of apnoea period, particularly useful for a difficult intubation, but it reduces drastically the atelectasis incidence.
Hedenstierna
G
G
Department of Medical Sciences, Clinical Physiology, University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden.
Edmark
L
L
Aherdan
K K
KK
D000758:Anesthesia; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D001261:Pulmonary Atelectasis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology