Apnoeic Oxygenation by Nasal Cannula During Airway Management in Children Undergoing General Anaesthesia.

Airway management is a core clinical skill in anaesthesia. Pre-oxygenation prior to induction of anaesthesia is standard practice to prevent desaturation. Apnoeic oxygenation in adults is effective and prolongs the time to desaturation. The effectiveness of apnoeic oxygenation in the adult is well document, however evidence in the paediatric is lacking. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of apnoeic oxygenation during airway management in children. This was a pilot randomised controlled trial. Patients were randomised to either receive apnoeic oxygenation or standard care during the induction of anaesthesia. The primary outcome was the duration of safe apnoea, defined as a composite of the time to first event, either time for SpO2 to drop to 92% or time to successfully secure the airway, and the lowest SpO2 observed during airway management. Secondary outcomes were number of patients whose SpO2 dropped below 95% and number of patients whose SpO2 dropped below 92%.