Pre-oxygenation

Preoxygenation before induction of anesthesia

As preoxygenation refers to a prophylactic enrichment with oxygen prior to an induced apnea (apnea), for example during anesthesia .

With a suitable supply of oxygen (sufficiently high flow rate over several minutes, tightly fitting mask), the oxygen reservoir of the lungs, which corresponds to the functional residual capacity, is filled with oxygen, whereby the nitrogen in normal breathing air is washed out ( denitrogenization ). This is checked by the expiratory oxygen concentration. This concentration should be at least 80%, in case of doubt it is even better to aim for 90%. As a result, the length of time that the patient can get by without spontaneous breathing without showing an oxygen deficiency ( hypoxia ) is significantly increased, so that during this time an airway can be secured.

literature

• F. Mertzlufft, C. Krier: Preoxygenation - a must! But how? In: Anasthesiol Intensivmed Emergency Med Schmerzther. 36 (8), Aug 2001, pp. 451-453. PMID 11573124
• J. Hirsch, I. Führer, P. Kuhly, W. Schaffartzik: Preoxygenation: a comparison of three different breathing systems. In: Br J Anaesth. 87 (6), Dec 2001, pp. 928-931. PMID 11878698

This article is about a health issue. It is not used for self-diagnosis and does not replace a diagnosis by a doctor. Please note the information on health issues !