COMPARISON OF 3 DEVICES FOR OXYGEN ADMINISTRATION IN THE LATE POSTOPERATIVE PERIOD

We have evaluated three different devices for oxygen administration in the surgical ward, the Hudson face mask (oxygen 3 litre min(-1), air 12 litre min(-1)), the nasal prong (oxygen 3 litre min(-1)) and the bi nasal catheter (oxygen 3 litre min(-1)). We evaluated the three device s in random order for periods of 30 min each in 25 patients with posto perative hypoxaemia (Sp(O2) less than or equal to 94%). Arterial oxyge n saturation was measured by continuous pulse oximetry and comfort was evaluated with a questionnaire after each treatment period. The three systems increased arterial oxygen saturation to similar levels, but t he highest degree of comfort was found with the binasal catheter. Use of the binasal catheter is recommended for oxygen administration in th e late postoperative period.