During cesarean section under regional anesthesia, it is current practice to provide the parturient with a source of supplemental oxygen. We compared the effect of high flow oxygen by mask with that of low flow oxygen by nasal prongs.

Fifty eight parturients presenting for elective cesarean section under combined spinal-epidural anesthesia were randomly assigned to one of the three groups to be given either oxygen 4 L/min by mask, oxygen 8 L/min by mask or oxygen 2 L/min by nasal prongs. Umbilical arterial and venous blood samples were taken and analysed immediately after delivery.

There were no significant differences in the umbilical arterial or venous pH, partial pressure of oxygen and partial pressure of carbon dioxide among the three groups. In neonatal outcome, there were no differences in Apgar scores.

It Makes No Differences Whether The Parturients Received Supplemental Oxygen By Nasal Prongs Or Simple Face Mask During Cesarean Section Under Combined Spinal-epidural Anesthesia.