Objective: To compare the oxygen saturation and comfort of the patients undergoing phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation (PE/IOL) between the patients with and without oxygenation under the linen drape.
Setting: Institutional practice.
Material and Method: A randomized, triple-blind, clinical equivalence trial was conducted. Eighty consecutive patients, scheduled for PE/IOL under topical or subconjunctival anesthesia, were randomized. The patients in group 1 received 5 liters/minute flow of 100% oxygen via tubes attached to the upper chest walls. Sham oxygenation was given to the patients in group 2. Patients, surgeons and investigators were masked. The oxygen saturation was recorded every 10 minutes. The patients rated the comfort score within 15 minutes after operation.
Results: In group 1 (n = 37), mean age was 68.2 + 10.5 years and mean operative time was 29.4 + 7.2 minutes. In group 2 (n = 43), mean age was 66.9 10.6 years and mean operative time was 27.2 6.3 minutes. In both groups, the oxygen saturation ranged from the mean of 97.3 to 100% throughout the present study. The 99% confidence intervals of the mean differences of the oxygen saturation at 10, 20, and 30 minutes after draping were -1.60 to 0.17%, -1.63 to 0.05%, and -2.37 to 0.74%, respectively. The comfort score was 84.9% in group 1 and 89.8% in group 2 (p = 0.61).
Conclusion: With or without oxygen flow under the drape with the tip of the oxygen tube 1.5 cm away from the chin during PE/IOL, the patients’ oxygen saturation is equivalent. The patients’ comfort is not statistically different. Oxygenation under the linen drape seems to be unnecessary in uncomplicated cases.

Keywords: Linen drape, Oxygenation, Phacoemulsification, Cataract