PERIOPERATIVE HYPOXEMIA IN CHILDREN UNDERGOING APPLICATION OF A PLASTER JACKET FOR SCOLIOSIS

Twenty children (six female), median age 24 months (range 12-156) who presented for application of a plaster jacket for scoliosis were studi ed pre-operatively with pulse oximetry overnight and on the first post operative night. Pre-operatively the medium (range) arterial oxygen sa turation was 97 (95-95)%, although eight children had short episodes o f desaturation to <90%. Postoperatively the median saturation was unch anged, and nine children had short episodes of desaturation. Neither t he presence of episodes of desaturation pre-operatively, nor the mediu m of lowest saturation recorded were predictors of postoperative media n saturation or the presence of episodes of desaturation. Despite the presumed reduction in chest wall compliance, the application of a plas ter jacket for scoliosis in these young children was not associated wi th a significant change in their oxygenation.