Use of apneic oxygenation for the performance of pan-endoscopy

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of apneic oxygenation for the performance of pan-endoscopy.

Study design: Clinical retrospective study.

Setting: A university teaching hospital in Wuppertal, Germany.

Subjects: Forty-seven patients who underwent pan-endoscopy under apneic oxygenation during a period of 1 year.

Methods: After preoxygenation and induction of anesthesia, an 8 French catheter was introduced into the trachea for oxygen supply. Pan-endoscopy was carried out, as long as there were no signs of desaturation. The data were collected retrospectively from the anesthesia charts.

Results: Apnea was well tolerated up to 45 minutes in most of the patients. In 2 patients, the method was carried out incorrectly, and in 1 obese patient, it was not possible to get an acceptable oxygenation.

Conclusion: With appropriate monitoring, sufficient nitrogen elution, and proper patient selection, we believe that this technique is superior to jet ventilation and intubation for pan-endoscopy, allowing unimpeded operative visualization.

Keywords: apnea; aventilatoric mass flow; pan-endoscopy; preoxygenation.