Apneic Oxygenation During Prolonged Laryngoscopy in Obese Patients: a Randomized, Double-Blinded, Controlled Trial of Nasal Cannula Oxygen Administration.

Abstract

Obese patients have a propensity to desaturate during induction of general anesthesia secondary to their reduced functional residual capacity and increased oxygen consumption. Apneic oxygenation can provide supplemental oxygen to the alveoli, even in the absence of ventilation, during attempts to secure the airway. In this study, we hypothesized that oxygen administration through a nasopharyngeal airway and standard nasal cannula during a simulated prolonged laryngoscopy would significantly prolong the safe apneic duration in obese patients.