Various factors have resulted in an increased demand for relatively minor surgical treatment requiring general anaesthesia to be carried out in the surgery on an outpatient basis. Previous studies have reported significant decreases in oxygen saturation in patients under intravenous sedation and in patients under general anaesthesia.
This study examined the levels of oxygen saturations in outpatients undergoing oral surgical procedures under general anaesthesia.
The results confirm the value of pulse oximetry and suggest that this mode of monitoring and the administration of supplemental oxygen be routinely utilised during the recovery period.
KrautR.A.Transcutaneous oxygen and carbon dioxide monitoring in patients undergoing surgical removal of wisdom teeth. SAAD Digest1985; 6: 30–41.
3.
TuckerM.R., OchsM.W., WhiteR.P.Arterial blood gas levels after midazolam or diazepam administered with or without fentanyl as an intravenous sedative for outpatient surgical procedures. J Oral Maxillofac Surg1986; 44: 688–692.
4.
SingerR., ThomasP.E.Pulse oximeter in the ambulatory anesthetic surgical facility. Plast Reconstr Surg1988; 82: 111–114.
5.
RileyR.H., DavisN.J., FinucaneK.E., ChristmasP.Arterial oxygen saturation in anaesthetised patients during transfer from induction room to operating room. Anaesth Intens Care1988; 16: 182–186.
6.
BeebyC., ThurlowA.C.Pulse oximetry during general anaesthesia for dental extractions. Br Dent J1986; 160: 123–125.
7.
BoneM.E., GallerD., FlynnP.J.Arterial oxygen saturation during general anaesthesia for pediatric dental extractions. Anaesthesia1987; 42: 879–882.
8.
ClaphamM.C., MackieA.M.Pulse oximetry in anaesthetised dental patients. Anaesthesia1986; 41: 1036–1038.
9.
BlairI., HollandR., LauW., McCarthyN., ChiahT.S., LedwidgeD.Oxygen saturation during transfer from operating room to recovery after anaesthesia. Anaesth Intens Care1987; 15: 147–150.
10.
Australian Society for the Advancement of Anaesthesia and Sedation in Dentistry.Pain and anxiety control in dentistry. Policy Document, 1986.
11.
Faculty of Anaesthetists, Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. Recommended minimum facilities for safe anaesthestic practice in dental surgeries.Policy Document1984.
12.
Faculty of Anaesthetists, Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.Monitoring during anaesthesia. Policy Document1988.
13.
HempenstallP.D., de PlaterR.M.H.Outpatient oral surgery under general anaesthesia in the surgery with minimal morbidity. Aust Dent J1990;
14.
SalkieldI.M.The multicircuit system. 1. Description of a device providing several Mapleson functions. Anaesth Intens Care1985; 13: 153–157.
15.
BradleyJ.P., MarslandA.R., MassangJ.R.The multicircuit system. 2. A study during spontaneous ventilation in awake patients using the Mapleson A mode. Anaesth Intens Care1985; 13: 158–162.
16.
McBrideK.L., SinnD.P.Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative care. In: BellW.H., ProffitW.R., WhiteR.P.Surgical correction of facial deformities.Philadelphia: WB Saunders, 1980: 200–232.
17.
ElHagM., CoghlanK., ChristmasP., HarveyW., HarrisM.The anti-inflammatory effects of dexamethasone and therapeutic ultrasound in oral surgery. Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg1985; 23: 17–23.
18.
SchabergS.J., StullerC.B., EdwardsS.M.Effect of methylprednisolone on swelling after orthognathic surgery. J Oral Maxillofac Surg1984; 42: 356–361.
19.
HollandC.S.The influence of methylprednisolone on post-operative swelling following oral surgery. Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg1987; 25: 293–299.
20.
O'DonovanN., ShawJ.Nausea and vomiting in day-case anaesthesia. The use of low-dose droperidol. Anaesthesia1984; 39: 1172–1176.
21.
MillarJ.M., hallP.J.Nausea and vomiting after prostaglandins in day case termination of pregnancy. The efficacy of low dose droperidol. Anaesthesia1987; 42: 613–618.
22.
WinningT.J., Brock-UtneJ.G., DowningJ.W.Nausea and vomiting after anesthesia and minor surgery. Anesth Analg1977; 56: 674–677.
