Incidence of hypoxia and related events detected by pulse oximeters provided by the Lifebox Foundation in the maternity unit at Sylvanus Olympio University Teaching Hospital, Togo.

In recent decades anesthesia safety has not been improved in low-income countries. This prospective audit describes the incidence of hypoxia and related events detected among a cohort of patients undergoing surgery in the maternity unit at Sylvanus Olympio University Teaching Hospital, Togo, West Africa, by using pulse oximeters donated by the Lifebox Foundation. The Lifebox oximeter enables early detection of hypoxia for patients undergoing surgery before irreversible damage occurs. Pulse oximetry is cost-effective intervention and should be more accessible in all operating rooms of this type.