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Abstract
stomach gas in children, undergoing positive pressure
ventilation with face mask, helps in improving the arterial
oxygen saturation.
Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study
whose procedures were performed at Combined Military
Hospital, Lahore and Mardan, from May 2005 to Nov 2006.
Fifty children scheduled for surgery were included. Age
range of patients was between 06 months to 02 years.
Patient status was American Society of Anaesthesiologists
I and II. All were ‘nil by mouth’ for the past 4-6 hours.
In 25 cases undergoing positive pressure ventilation, the
stomach gas was removed by nasogastric tube (Group A).
In the other 25 cases the stomach gas was not removed
(Group B). Oximetery was done during the conduct of
anaesthesia. Average value of each case was determined
and the data compared and analyzed.
Results: 80% of patients in whom stomach gas was
removed showed 100% oxygen saturation (SPO2) and the
remaining 20% patients had 99% saturation. Whereas the
group in which stomach gas was not removed, 48%
patients showed 100% saturation, 32% patients had 99%
and 20% patients had 98% oxygen saturation.
Conclusion: Positive pressure ventilation with face
mask in children can cause gaseous distension of
the stomach. Removal of this gas can help improve the
oxygen saturation.