Postoperative pulse oximetry of patients in maxillomandibular fixation.

Following oral and maxillofacial surgery requiring maxillomandibular fixation (MMF), patients are at risk for respiratory problems that may result in decreased arterial oxygen saturation. As a pilot study, oxygen saturation was continuously monitored for 36 hours in 34 patients having 37 procedures requiring MMF. There were 28 hypoxic episodes in 12 patients. These observations emphasize the need for continuous respiratory monitoring during the postoperative period for patients in MMF, even when supplemental oxygen is used.