Effect of nasal cannula oxygen administration on oxygen concentration at facial and adjacent landmarks.
An oxygen-enriched atmosphere enhances the potential for operating-room fires. We thus determined oxygen concentrations at various facial landmarks during oxygen administration via nasal cannulae. Thirteen supine volunteers were draped similarly to patients undergoing a cervical-node biopsy. Oxygen was delivered in random order through nasal cannulae at rates of 2, 4, and 6 l x min(-1). Oxygen concentration was measured at pre-determined facial landmarks and also distal to the drape at non-facial sites. At a flow of 2 l x min(-1), oxygen concentrations exceeded 23% only within a few centimetres of the nasal cannula. Concentration increased as a function of flow, but rarely exceeded 26%. At all flow rates, concentrations distal to the drape were < 24%. To reduce combustion risk, ignition sources should be kept at least 10 cm from the oxygen outlet when using nasal cannula at a flow rate > or = 4 l x min(-1).
Department of Anaesthesiology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.
M
M
Orhan-Sungur
R
R
Komatsu
A
A
Sherman
L
L
Jones
D
D
Walsh
D I
DI
Sessler
D000281:Administration, Intranasal; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000032:analysis*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D005145:Face; D005260:Female; D005390:Fires / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009873:Operating Rooms; D010100:Oxygen / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis*; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D017751:Safety Management / Q000379:methods; D055815:Young Adult
D010100:Oxygen