The incidence of maternal oxygen desaturation after cesarean delivery in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) has not been thoroughly reported. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence of desaturation and to describe the frequency of supplemental oxygen administration in patients being monitored in the PACU. This study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital, and low-risk parturients undergoing cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia were enrolled. None of the subjects received supplemental oxygen therapy on arrival at the PACU. Their oxygen saturation was continuously monitored using pulse oximetry. Desaturation was defined as an oxygen saturation at or below 94% for more than 30 seconds. The data of 324 healthy, term parturients were included in the analysis. The incidence of desaturation was only 0.3% (95% confidence interval = 0.01%-1.7%). No patient required supplemental oxygen therapy in the PACU. The incidence of postoperative oxygen desaturation in healthy parturients undergoing elective cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia was uncommon. Routine administration of supplemental oxygen in the PACU is therefore unnecessary.
Keywords: Cesarean delivery; desaturation; healthy parturient; postanesthesia care unit; spinal block.
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