title: Successful pharyngeal pulse oximetry in low perfusion states.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We describe pharyngeal oximetry with the laryngeal mask airway in two patients with low perfusion states where finger oximetry failed.
  
  
  METHODS
  One patient was a 47-yr-old man with septic shock and the other a 64-yr-old man with multiorgan failure. In both patients, a # 4 laryngeal mask airway with a pediatric pulse oximeter probe was inserted behind the tracheal tube. A good waveform was obtained and oxygen saturation was 0-2% lower than arterial samples.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pharyngeal oximetry with the laryngeal mask airway is feasible in low perfusion states when finger oximetry fails.
authors.affiliation: University of Queensland, Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Cairns Base Hospital, Australia. 100236,2343@compuserve.com
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brimacombe
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Keller
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D017214:Laryngeal Masks; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009102:Multiple Organ Failure / Q000503:physiopathology; D010092:Oximetry / Q000379:methods*; D010477:Perfusion; D010614:Pharynx / Q000502:physiology*; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000502:physiology; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000503:physiopathology