Comparison of Nasal Cannulae With Face Mask for Oxygen Administration to Postoperative Patients

Abstract

Thirty postoperative patients were allocated randomly to receive oxygen by Hudson face mask at 4 litre min-1 (group I) or 2 litre min-1 (group II) via nasal cannulae. From 22:00 on the first night after operation, the position of the nasal cannula or face mask was observed for 8 h using video and oxyhaemoglobin saturation (SpO2) recorded simultaneously. In group I the mask remained on and positioned correctly in five patients. In the 10 other patients it was removed a total of 28 times, 17 for nursing tasks, for a median time of 2 min 39 s (range 30 s to 7 h 40 min 40 s). In group II the nasal cannula was removed once in one patient for 16 min 38 s and eight times in another for a total of 1 h 18 min 7 s. Average SpO2 with mask on was 98% (range 96.1-99.9%), with mask off 95% (range 89.8-98.8%) and with cannula 97% (range 90.8-99.3%). We conclude that nasal cannulae are more likely to remain in position than face masks and maintain an adequate saturation in most patients.

Influence of Jet Nebulization and Oxygen Delivery on the Fraction of Inspired Oxygen: An Experimental Model

“…(13,(18)(19)(20) In our study, at low oxygen flow rates, the highest FiO 2 values were obtained with Ncath. When oxygen was delivered through Ncan, the FiO 2 was low, which is comparable with the results obtained by Bazuaye et al (14) in seven healthy subjects.…”

BTS guideline for emergency oxygen use in adult patients

“…Three patient preference studies comparing nasal cannulae with simple face masks in postoperative care found that patient preference was strongly in favour of nasal cannulae with up to 88% of patients preferring cannulae to masks 289 – 291. Another advantage of cannulae over simple face masks is that they are less likely to be removed accidentally and they allow the patient to speak and eat 290 300. There are no comparisons of these devices in acute care, but there is no reason to believe that the results would be any different for patients requiring medium-dose oxygen therapy.…”

BTS guideline for oxygen use in adults in healthcare and emergency settings

“…Three patient preference studies comparing nasal cannulae with simple face masks in postoperative care found that patient preference was strongly in favour of nasal cannulae with up to 88% of patients preferring cannulae to masks 457–459. Another advantage of cannulae over simple face masks is that they are less likely to be removed accidentally and they allow the patient to speak and eat 458 468. There are no comparisons of these devices in acute care, but there is no reason to believe that the results would be any different for patients requiring medium-concentration oxygen therapy.…”