Effectiveness of Oxygenation under the Drape in Phacoemulsification with Intraocular Lens Implantation: A Randomized Clinical Trial(cid:31)
Mariam Iamsukhon BSN, RN*, Piyawan Kulpapangkorn MD*, Parima Hirunwiwatkul MD*, Wasee Tulvatana MD, MSc*
Affiliation : (cid:31) Presented in part at the second SERI-ARVO meeting on research in vision and ophthalmology, February 16-20, 2005 * Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
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.
Materials and Methods : A randomized, triple-blind, clinical equivalence trial was conducted. Eighty consecu-
tive 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 (cid:31) 10.5 years and mean operative time was 29.4 (cid:31) 7.2 minutes.
In group 2 (n = 43), mean age was 66.9 (cid:31) 10.6 years and mean operative time was 27.2 (cid:31) 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
