[The value of monitoring arterial oxygenation saturation by pulse oximetry in neuroleptanalgesia]. / Intérêt de la surveillance de la saturation artérielle en oxygène par oxymétrie de pouls au cours de la neuroleptanalgésie.

ABSTRACT

Anaesthesia can induce hypoxaemia. Pulse oximetry gives continuous non invasive monitoring of arterial oxygen saturation. No arterial puncture is needed. Ninety-four patients were monitored by pulse oximetry during neuroleptanalgesia for colonoscopy. Eighteen patients showed desaturation episodes of less than 90%, eight linked to opioid-induced respiratory depression. In all patients, pulse oximetry gave clinicians an immediate awareness of the incident. Treatment was facilitated. Pulse oximetry made anaesthesia safer.