Comparison of three devices for oxygen administration in the late postoperative period.

We have evaluated three different devices for oxygen administration in the surgical ward, the Hudson face mask (oxygen 3 litre min-1, air 12 litre min-1), the nasal prong (oxygen 3 litre min-1) and the binasal catheter (oxygen 3 litre min-1). We evaluated the three devices in random order for periods of 30 min each in 25 patients with postoperative hypoxaemia (SpO2 < or = 94%). Arterial oxygen saturation was measured by continuous pulse oximetry and comfort was evaluated with a questionnaire after each treatment period. The three systems increased arterial oxygen saturation to similar levels, but the highest degree of comfort was found with the binasal catheter. Use of the binasal catheter is recommended for oxygen administration in the late postoperative period.