Preliminary report on surgical mask induced deoxygenation during major surgery.
OBJECTIVE
This study was undertaken to evaluate whether the surgeons' oxygen saturation of hemoglobin was affected by the surgical mask or not during major operations.


METHODS
Repeated measures, longitudinal and prospective observational study was performed on 53 surgeons using a pulse oximeter pre and postoperatively.


RESULTS
Our study revealed a decrease in the oxygen saturation of arterial pulsations (SpO2) and a slight increase in pulse rates compared to preoperative values in all surgeon groups. The decrease was more prominent in the surgeons aged over 35.


CONCLUSIONS
Considering our findings, pulse rates of the surgeon's increase and SpO2 decrease after the first hour. This early change in SpO2 may be either due to the facial mask or the operational stress. Since a very small decrease in saturation at this level, reflects a large decrease in PaO2, our findings may have a clinical value for the health workers and the surgeons.
Beder
A
A
Başkent University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing and Health Services, Ankara, Turkey.
Büyükkoçak
U
U
Sabuncuoğlu
H
H
Keskil
Z A
ZA
Keskil
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008397:Masks / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D010092:Oximetry; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism*; D010108:Oxyhemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D005082:Physical Exertion; D010991:Plethysmography; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000378:metabolism / Q000523:psychology; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative; D013997:Time Factors
D010108:Oxyhemoglobins; D010100:Oxygen