Postoperative oxygen saturation following propofol–nitrous oxide versus halothane–nitrous oxide anaesthesia in children

Postoperative haemoglobin oxygen saturation values (Spo2) may be decreased after even minor surgical procedures. Therefore, we evaluated the incidence of postoperative hypoxaemia in children randomized to receive either halothane–nitrous oxide (N2O) or propofol–N2O, during a standardized anaesthetic technique for superficial surgery. After tracheal extubation, all patients received 100% oxygen for at least 3 min and then were transported to the Postanaesthetic Care Unit (PACU) in the left lateral position. The Spo2 values were monitored in the PACU and supplemental oxygen was administered to all patients with Spo2 < 90%. There were no significant differences in demographic characteristics or in the times to tracheal extubation and transport to the PACU between the two groups. While Spo2 values decreased in both groups during transport, they did not differ significantly at any time in the PACU. In addition, no significant differences in Spo2 values were noted at any point between subgroups of patients who did or did not undergo surgical procedures associated with postoperative pharyngeal bleeding. We conclude that the use of propofol does not decrease the incidence of postoperative hypoxaemia in this patient population.