Effects of 100% oxygen and a mixture of oxygen and air on oxygen saturation in the immediate postoperative period in children.

Arterial oxygen saturation during transportation of children from the operating room to the recovery room and in the recovery room was monitored in two groups of patients, one given 100% oxygen at the end of anesthesia, the other given a 50:50 mixture of oxygen and air. The oxygen-air group had a statistically significantly higher incidence of hypoxemic episodes. Preoxygenation with 100% oxygen before transfer from the operating room reduces the incidence of hypoxemia in children.