The use of pulse oximetry in the immediate recovery phase following dental extractions under general anesthesia in children.

Over the past decade, an array of monitoring devices have been developed to continuously assess patient oxygenation. While actual tissue oxygenation is the most desirable measurement, the pulse oximeter offers a non-invasive method of measuring oxygenation of arterial blood. In this study, the arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) of children presenting for oral surgical procedures under general anesthesia was continuously monitored. We were particularly interested in the saturation during the period from termination of anesthesia until arrival in the recovery room, a potentially critical 2-3 minutes. This study showed that 22.5 per cent of children significantly desaturated (SaO2 less than 90 per cent) during this period - a figure which is in complete agreement with several similar studies done recently. This desaturation preceded not only hemodynamic changes, but frequently changes in tissue and blood colour as well. The authors conclude that children should receive supplemental oxygen in the immediate recovery phase following general anesthesia.